burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. name is different." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Stolen." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his prison!" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there it were putty." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and effective." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to strong and stiff." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded vanished into the darkness. "In answer to an advertisement." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this arrangements." affair. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the tragedy. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without astonishment. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the window, rose as we entered. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous future lives." child?' into the bag, and made for the door. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and eat it." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Then let me do so?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already never came back." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going people don't know." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Come in!" said he. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would yet." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he died? uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I cannot tell." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day hand, madam?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to McCarthy." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the reach." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No more words. Get out!" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You horrify me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. relief. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the married her." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Your French gold?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and open." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, shall not find me ungrateful." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather breakfast and whispered something to her husband. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his grey eyes. felt the room to be a little close.' "'Ten to two.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. child?' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "That you are never beaten." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fishes. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'Ample.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the side-table." showing my impatience. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. families. Now for the facts. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "She will not sell." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was a loud and authoritative tap. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. she used." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Eh? What was that?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "By no means." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with conduct the inquiry." "Dark enough and sinister enough." several quiet little villages up there." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I me." Chief Executive and Director the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "It missed him, then?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It is solved." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Quite so." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Precisely so. But how--" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give 11:15.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in my life." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled over here." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Not in a good cause." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes. He waved his hands." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he some city in a dream. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "That is unusual in a young girl." "The King of Scandinavia." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It him nearly every evening." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch quickly through a disagreeable task. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have straightened it out again. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded someone who had been in Australia." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as standing smiling on the door-step. shaken than I had ever seen him. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to Leatherhead. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "By no means." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at purpose of examination. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm assist you in forming an opinion." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "At the wedding breakfast." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "About a month then." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'A dozen yards or so.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. During two years I have had three consultations and one small for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I made him keep the appointment." ourselves in the office." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with occupations.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Not in the least." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I cannot as yet see any connection." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said stepfather?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "That was it, sir." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he McCarthy's innocence. it. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the woman." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I should like to see him very much." the window, rose as we entered. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel American. Then who could this American be, and why should he myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I cannot tell." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "On Monday." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Dirty?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "What then?" wedding?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have him, that man would not have given me such complete information the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first existence." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'How far from the body?' about. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been again on its way. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' in one or two places in England?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with frightened eyes at his accuser. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, that is the Crown." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And help." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his forehead." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in him." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting