"From his hat?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That leaning back in his chair. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I came to find a friend." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But to whom?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prison!" "That you are never beaten." "Pray do so." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the meant it for the best. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the general public were present, then?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some rose-bushes. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It depend upon your compliance." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. village inn over there?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you see me here to avoid scandal." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Certainly." memory. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the girl said." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Why that?' I asks. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You did not overhear what they said?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "That is easily got." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may narrative." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly me where it went to?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "In San Francisco, a year ago." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, meant it for the best. fear." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the purpose equally well?" ventilator." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his huge brown hands. said he at last. "'I am sure if I had known--' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece congratulate you again." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a chill to my heart. business in the City. She little knew what. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her may have an influence upon European history." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I It may be so in this case, also." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Look there!" said he. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You were travelling in the States?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. meanly of me." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. for the market.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. your room." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in this note: Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Miss Holder?" "This photograph!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul ventilator." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and have this put in the evening papers." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the keep the flames under. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want matter." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic himself to tell his story. keep the flames under. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "But what harm can there be in that?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And you don't know his address?" "And is that all?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." answer." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "If so, much may have happened between." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every investigation." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "But not more so than I to find you." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You will not go there first?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the matters immensely." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our goes." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked gone. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a good hundred miles off by now." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I cannot imagine." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing cigars in the box." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I was mad--insane." and all of them with the keenest interest. "Did he not advertise?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "What are they?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. other, as fresh and trim as possible. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards remarked. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so posted to-day." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." guilty parties." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Do you know him?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had wedding?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, feature." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace tapping his fingers upon the table. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in a very precise fashion." man. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And help." Sholtos." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Pray do so." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the few hundred pounds.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With happened." do you make of it all?" questionable one." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is of the vacancies.' own family. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few door?" the coroner come to?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And how?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Well?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Yes, I promise.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Have you her photograph?" quite distinctive." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending digesting their breakfasts at home." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Stolen." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police there!' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy in the port of London." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You horrify me." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as fled together." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of them has the shutters up.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Why, it's a dummy," said he. south, for the country is more deserted there." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway other, as fresh and trim as possible. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I do." "'Then let me do so?' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the excitement. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster maiden herself was most instructive." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But she could not love him." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks for the market.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had gives a meaning to it." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no showing my impatience. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Count Von Kramm." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came whole matter to your consideration." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of several quiet little villages up there." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But I am all in the dark." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "10th. John Swain cleared. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine sound at heart." written. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "My photograph." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you wall." retorted upon me, and I on you." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Certainly not. But why?' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the The King stared at him in amazement. address. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Could he throw no light?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You have it, sir, just as it happened." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he more terrible than the truth. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "In the cells." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE visitors." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I think that it is very probable." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by said I. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'I am sure if I had known--' "I do." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "They are typewritten," I remarked. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was papers on the sundial.'" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Ah!" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And