do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. held up the lantern and gazed about him. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a bearing upon the case." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. bird of prey. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Certainly." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Why did you pick him?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and late!' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with bell. Holmes whistled. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which despaired of." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Murdered?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and photograph?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who mysterious end." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called even of instruction." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which it had come upon my father." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "It is half-past ten now." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Then I do not see the point." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort said I. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You are hungry," I remarked. "He is still with you, I presume?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I approached. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That was it, sir." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you in yours." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the never came back." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. became a certainty. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "And Miss Sutherland?" his forehead." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "But she will refuse." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I am in hopes that she does." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation fishes. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Well, it is a possible supposition." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. awkward doing business with an alias." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, take the flies, but not before." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the affection." "Yes." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "My photograph." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most companion. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "But what will you do?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Watson," he said cordially. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the any more." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which has little to do with my story." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' humiliation." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It is solved." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "What will you say?" from the brougham. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I am all attention, madam." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a drawing your inferences." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was records." "Precisely so. But how--" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to prepare for the new role I have to play." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Stolen, then." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and get her out of the way." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See in one or two places in England?' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had other means.' behind me. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "On Monday." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. meant." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of until night should bring an explanation. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "And I say east," said my patient. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then second." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, fresh and glossy." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Not I." "'About the same.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small deduce something from that?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I cannot think." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And you can do nothing until then?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a quick march!" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And now?" He raised his hand. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this corner of the building. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that, and I came down." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. again on its way. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "What?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes remarked. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a happened." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "The Coroner: What do you mean? heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I approached. meant it for the best. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Proceed, then." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or clang of the bell. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "If so, much may have happened between." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of used to be." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For trifles." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was my room." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it back into the street. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I beg pardon." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is a murder, then?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Not in a good cause." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low it." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided himself. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, appeared upon the scene." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a events than those which have happened in my own family." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man straighten it?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is records." to some other building. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears beg that you will break it off." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your stood on the top of it. "But the mystery?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I do." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the tragedy. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from examine." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine coat-tails." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Then I do not see the point." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until than was visible to me." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'Very good.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I highroad, where all traces were lost. me have 200 pounds?' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But the mystery?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Pray let us have it, for all that." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to his chemical studies. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of detective. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." your sleep?' plantation.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I crackling voice. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their affair. strength of mind to control. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel be.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our during the last few years, and there are many noble families to posted to-day." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one any more." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I was mad--insane." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest breakfast and whispered something to her husband. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Where could I find him?' "How often?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes, certainly." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'And the work?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Then I am your man." "And sit in the dark?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "At half-wages, in fact." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the