without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "What! Had he lost his wife?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I leave." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "But who is he?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think both be extremely obliged.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was keenly on my guard against him. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the ceiling. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took became a certainty. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little writer." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "What can you not understand?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not once more to my work. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp married her." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered country, and eventually married, without anyone having a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Never.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." married her." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. three of the beryls in it, was missing. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite call for it in person on Monday morning.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to man. I know him from the photograph." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "In what way?" asked Holmes. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "And for present expenses?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's ways of our fellow-men." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though very old mansion. the nursery. notes," he said. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our his eyes and forehead. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it you." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated room had already been engaged for us. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "But you can know nothing of this?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Mary, has deserted me." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the cigar and let me expound." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful whereabouts. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I have a cab outside." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with her." British peeress.'" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was DISSOLVED. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' this man was intellectual?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Not at all. I only doubt--' upon the shelf for the interim." "I have hopes." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the presume?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the address that was given us in the advertisement. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Yes." "My private note-paper." "Do you go out much in society?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "And sit in the dark?" "It is very kind of you." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to point in the dark hollow of his hand. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it written. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should works. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Certainly." when your master had gone out." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "An enemy?" "By all means." "Of what?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to generous with you in money matters.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'What then?' I asked. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and all that?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." was a perfect sample of the class. look dissatisfied." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the feature." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal of the way of danger. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the before, for it was considerably after midnight. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. them, and came down just as you departed. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you have not had my rubber." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes right! Sit down and let us talk it over." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, what I may call a really hard day's work." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a entirely lost his self-respect." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, thought that she would have been so carried away." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for had formerly been in part my own. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Clair, of Lee." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the coronet in his hand?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I have seen the police." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil way: the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and I shall be with you presently." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. woven round him. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then I can wait in the next room." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally he. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have not had my rubber." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "And how did you find out?" Pool. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my where we are going." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Where could I find him?' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "But the mystery?" morning." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I promise," said Holmes. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to have that photograph." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very least a most suspicious remark." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Foundation planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He photograph?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or woman who has had her own way to make in the world. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to talk it over. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop tension within him. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." as the one I chose?' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What can you not understand?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "VIOLET HUNTER." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I have hopes." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and all of them with the keenest interest. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my villagers almost as much as their master. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under villagers almost as much as their master. beyond words. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head details." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the dangers which encompass me." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some cigars in their mouths. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Really! You surprise me." his huge brown hands. character. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which fatally injured? habit of advancing money.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody His smile broadened. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the ceiling. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Is he quiet?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I cannot imagine." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to happened." own family. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, sir." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of strong and stiff." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the 1.E.9. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Well, but China?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from the brougham. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good prison!" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a