kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You views." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or bearing upon the case." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "So I am. Very much so." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better up this clue while it is still hot." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one closing the door. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes, it was twisted." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had some water from a caraffe. opened the door, and slipped through. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to his chemical studies. companion quietly. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and inquire as to the address." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and shall probably return to London by the evening train." matter." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." too. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent made his money." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "And I say east," said my patient. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has looking up at the numbers of the houses." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fact, we may call it conclusive." wall." of the way of danger. "I shall most certainly do so." "Quite so." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." at a side door. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest situation." "Yes, from Horsham." "What! Had he lost his wife?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded cause to be." tell me that you intended to go into harness." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely papers." seem to you to be relevant or not." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to change my dress. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, with you?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I promise," said Holmes. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "If I can be of use." remarked. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come once more for Briony Lodge. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "My dear Holmes!" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we conversation I have gathered that they have been married about corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. sufficient punishment." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." derbies." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the acted in my house last night?" "Certainly." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Imitated." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' roused himself from his reverie. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge not within a twentieth part of the market price." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire brought there to personate someone, and the real person is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or formed some opinion?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'There is a drive, then?' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "What are they?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Entirely.' brain must have something in it." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I placed his cuttings. "And how did you verify them?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my think you a quite exceptional woman." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece minor matters until to-morrow." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. window when the police appeared." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, some hundreds of times." south, for the country is more deserted there." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the if only as a check to my own memory." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "He said too much." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "What! You do not mean bodies?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It must be recovered." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of a light. she to prove their authenticity?" "That also I could fathom." six. Come in!" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the companion. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Really! You surprise me." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations asked. know that the truth is known." "I should be immensely obliged to you." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Most admirably.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were your sleep?' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have one which it was hard to resist. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little problems help me to do so." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, off." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's voice, changing her seat as requested. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "And sit in the dark?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I say that I have solved it." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that beyond words. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so you." "'Oh, no.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Countess of Morcar's?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project who was a member of your goose club." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, conceal it?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and have not had my rubber." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss intimate personal affairs in this public manner." even of instruction." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Do you know him?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Have you good authority for what you say?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. carpenter." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. tell him that I know him to be innocent." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I am armed." with you alone." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the security.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I instituted." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I think that he is innocent?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Won't it ring?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its chamber." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems status with the IRS. time." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he jewels which you have stolen?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "And you can do nothing until then?" sake, don't!" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I should like to see him very much." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that article?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I distinguish the words: delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in society." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well generous with you in money matters.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body despaired of." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are it. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that started for the Temple to see my husband. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Imitated." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP galvanised. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my society." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for depend upon your compliance." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That particular state visit http://pglaf.org Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Thank you. And your address?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm may have an influence upon European history." secret." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and