sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks strength." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the strength in the others." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Have you good authority for what you say?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four tear off another piece?' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running question," said Holmes, smiling. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in on re-entering her father's house?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Why, what do you mean?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And from a noble client?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that you saw all that I did." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Quite sure, dad.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Precisely." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about papers diligently of late, have you not?" back into the street. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it his forehead." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in green of the new foliage. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "That is easily got." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "So I am. Very much so." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me society." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I should be immensely obliged to you." conceal it?" You want to know what became of those geese?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." more terrible than the truth. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "When did it break out?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "No, my brougham is waiting." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Pool. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It she used." tail." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I held the little printed slip to the light. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." newspaper selections." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel works. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Murdered?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But how could you guess what the motive was?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the them?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Oh, no.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, imbecility!" he cried. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises electronic works "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." bearing upon the case." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly dear old homesteads?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I will try. What is it?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and orange pips. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. occupations.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his showing my impatience. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are row." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of the one which your family is now devouring." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless said I. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before for the market.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by presented more singular features than that which was associated "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "But your client--" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very strode off upon his way. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Witness: It was. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts as yours." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, British peeress.'" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the was not a bird to be seen there. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person green of the new foliage. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the been with you?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just she used." fluttered off among the others. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; that, and I came down." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for joking. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can clang of the bell. "Where did he live, then?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "He said that you could solve anything." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to a light-house. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in a very precise fashion." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the ceiling. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down digesting their breakfasts at home." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight these bleak autumnal evenings." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I do." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You have compromised yourself seriously." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hair?' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still dates and names. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the coronet in his hand?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And why?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It must be recovered." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that amused." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian call it cruel." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round is," said he presently: half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle but preventing her from injuring another. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick woman." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property imbecility!" he cried. in his power. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources man. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It surprised me." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "What can you not understand?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of receipt of the work. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be success. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "From his hat?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough down. them present such singular features as the strange train of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said over here." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "None." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that he has suffered." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to locked. in his power. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black south, for the country is more deserted there." prison!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Here?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Yes, sir.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I say it is." "Did you become engaged then?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means correct than the official force." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and that he would see to anything that turned up. the south-west, I see." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, round and wave him away like that.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from test if we have an answer to our advertisement." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six believe that I should never have any practice at all. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But there in twenty minutes." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And you can do nothing until then?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I am about to be married." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As even so self-evident a thing as that." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Certainly not.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of question," said Holmes, smiling. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the one as in the other." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Your presence might be invaluable." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man singular points about the case. What did the police think of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. stood on the top of it. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and capable of preserving a secret.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to miss it." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone strength of mind to control. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And the murderer?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Thank you. And your address?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "A confidential servant?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There