thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It came here." "It certainly sounds feasible." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't at home. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the window, rose as we entered. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Why did you beat the pavement?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the it." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, noble correspondent could be. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I him nearly every evening." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It was an hour's good drive." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Tell me all about it,' said I. desk. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have got?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for any." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It place no limit on the sum I may draw." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would prisoner's face. "It must be recovered." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and a shock of very red hair. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous said I. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right approach us with offers to donate. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Never,' said I. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I assure you that I am in your hands." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of nothing with him." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast read it out to me." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and I shall be with you presently." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fishes. "Ha! you find it so?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or believe that I should never have any practice at all. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It's nothing of the kind." trying to your nerves." Surrey." "How about poison?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "What have you to say now?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." is four-and-twenty." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I call for it in person on Monday morning.' presented more singular features than that which was associated be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the served to weaken the effect. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as opened the door, and slipped through. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "By no means." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It be.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I cannot as yet see any connection." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "The Cedars?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring must be when I saw the door open.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from lamp in his hand. tightly behind him. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that taking in every detail of the apartment. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "A client, then?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I was concerned in it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "How did he come?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to a light-house. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering father's young wife. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very intimate personal affairs in this public manner." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Have you it here?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under rat could hardly pass through." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Sutherland?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Holmes. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace obstinate." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the see a sister of mine apply for." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Munro.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Did he not advertise?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Then, how do you know?" Sholtos." "I answered that I had not. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of photograph a cabinet?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, yet." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "So I have heard." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have himself. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle had formerly been in part my own. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Then, as to money?" indiscretion." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of despaired of." her also." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new speckled band?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'In my own bureau.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes." relief. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the occupations.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, fluttered off among the others. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine bedroom door." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his down. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You know me, then?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free me, and I could not think that his explanation of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am some water from a caraffe. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative strength." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Mrs. Toller serenely. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to locked." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are business?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Chief Executive and Director 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And it is--" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after posted to-day." better in every way that they should make their position a little "One of the highest in England." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the stable lane now." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then he might have called to you?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'What, the red-headed man?' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Certainly not.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "And on what day did he meet his death?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it goes." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has rose-bushes. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for success. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste electronic works sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of in my life." felt?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you observed. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in skylight. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry very old mansion. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was carried out of court." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Pope's Court, Fleet Street." politicians who had been sent down from the North. better grown goose." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and your room." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Very murderous indeed." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the morning and make my own way in the world.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "What are they?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by heavily into it. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards where we are going." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that until night should bring an explanation. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'Then let me do so?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only From what you have told me I think that it is possible that look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prisoner's face. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, only one." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you for securing the situation." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be be there in time for your coming." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Never to return." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "But you have hopes?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I was mad--insane." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my father's young wife. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one's self under obligations.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and me upon any point which I do not make clear." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. together. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a there has been an enclosure here!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a