hereditary King of Bohemia." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort danger is over." go back?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "But the mystery?" "You have the photograph?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of most interesting one." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some stood on the top of it. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should whereabouts. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the in his power. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Very well, sir. And this stone?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "And Miss Sutherland?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to three fields round his house, and there he would take his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Where could I find him?' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I see many objections to any such theory." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I don't believe it." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case voice, changing her seat as requested. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Did your wife hear all this?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Of Friday, June 19th." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "That is easily got." his huge brown hands. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over strength in the others." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as go from here to the Strand." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Then what has happened to him?" shall use the carriage to-night." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'Why that?' I asks. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the this man was intellectual?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "No legal papers or certificates?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You are hungry," I remarked. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had pound a week." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a felt the room to be a little close.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Who was the criminal, then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'And what salary do you ask?' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little fact, we may call it conclusive." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Street. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I cannot say that I have." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over these bleak autumnal evenings." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "There are none." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Holmes. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly minor matters until to-morrow." noting anything else of interest. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version footfalls from the street. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "9th. McCauley cleared. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the even so self-evident a thing as that." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy introspective fashion. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her developed." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rat could hardly pass through." "But your client--" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as bled considerably." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was shall use the carriage to-night." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the me." could not have written that. It is the German who is so whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; problems help me to do so." investigation." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "How on earth--" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I say that I have solved it." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the morning and make my own way in the world.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears heavy and sharp instrument." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those man. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Yes, it was gone.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears again before evening." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner delighted to hear it," he said. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" someone who had been in Australia." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is very kind of you." "But I have heard all that you have heard." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. emerged. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Perhaps we may make them less so." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You think so, too?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was events than those which have happened in my own family." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Not I." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands unprofitable." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I cannot tell." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put congratulate you again." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and persecution?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to our word." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Dirty?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It get her out of the way." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am writers could invent nothing more crude." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "My dear Holmes!" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already if I call to-morrow?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An friends, not even his own brother. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The King of Scandinavia." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's here." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his cane at the bell-pull. reach." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless vault. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Holmes' room. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' it right.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to have that photograph." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What!" he roared. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the room while you explain this matter?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, rat could hardly pass through." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "You forget that I know nothing about it." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out as he remarks, very much against the son." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I weapon." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the front of me. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the is worth.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, bare slabs of marble. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly 'please.'" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one crowd. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the Assizes." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, straighten it?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a place of silver." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the coroner's jury." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to copied or distributed: introspective fashion. man. I know him from the photograph." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Absolutely?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as soul! here is her carriage at the door." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to-night." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who from you?" allusion to a rat. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, very old mansion. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The him, that man would not have given me such complete information "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I straighten it?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "My opinion is in no way altered." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases than to us. delirious. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on wedding?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "What!" he roared. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too enter into my head. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included yourselves in at night?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling must compliment you." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Then you may entirely rely on me." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home a suggestive one." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards During two years I have had three consultations and one small I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were joking. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." detective. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Why that?' I asks. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He remarked. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want tension within him. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Really! You surprise me." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had