"Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very more solid." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That's no good." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "So I have heard." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in a very precise fashion." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR peculiar to him. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that once more. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt to some other building. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Nothing." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "It certainly sounds feasible." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his grey eyes. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly troubles have been weighing upon his mind. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door assist you in forming an opinion." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded late." matter over." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she humiliation." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Will you bet, then?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "But of what society?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of in this note: visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "On the contrary, this is the right side." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come had no one to advise her at such a crisis." weapon." brain must have something in it." "I would pay ten." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I stalked out of the room. emerged. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way works. See paragraph 1.E below. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Eh? What was that?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "She will not sell." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a never came back." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "How did he come?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was desk. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My ways including including checks, online payments and credit card prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, writing, and yet I know it well." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What can it mean?" I gasped. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And you don't know his address?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of dear old homesteads?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very presume?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tied." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed sofa. This way, please!" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked lids now and glanced across at his visitor. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You have a clue?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No, I think that I'll take it." in the hope of finding them." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the little opening for the ventilator is." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Certainly not.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I would give my fortune to have them back." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. official police." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But you have hopes?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water prison!" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Where is it, then?" sneer upon his pale face. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I will not look." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I me. such person." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point said he. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "By all means." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Where does the thing come from?' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to change my dress. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Quite sure, dad.' written. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sparkled upon his finger. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have was it brought him the coronet? business?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the inquest, and which are worth considering." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Of Friday, June 19th." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Entirely." was shining brightly. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I will try. What is it?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" help us in this matter." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is now desirous of getting those letters back." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in kindly on the shoulder. and the church but not where the lady lived." his cane at the bell-pull. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, had this final quarrel? Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Henry Baker is a member." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "The Coroner: What do you mean? together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words new acquaintance to Baker Street. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." as he remarks, very much against the son." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "None." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Indeed! Whose, then?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the directors, with the result that you have seen." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And how?" gone. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his roused himself from his reverie. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a window when the police appeared." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, joking. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking answer." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the morning and make my own way in the world.' strode off upon his way. "None." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a one which it was hard to resist. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just populous neighbourhood." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Where did he live, then?" jewels which you have stolen?' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My own seal." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought character. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign indeed which he could not unravel. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "It came here." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." quickly through a disagreeable task. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'Which dealer's?' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "No." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little The King stared at him in amazement. "'How far from the body?' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the driver. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously this Miss Turner." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel kindly on the shoulder. "Was he the only applicant?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I signal between you and your father? was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But how will you look?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fasten all the windows?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But how could you guess what the motive was?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an you?" as he folded up the epistle. "One?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What will you say?" at home. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal what these perils are?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I fear not." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Where, then, is my wife?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means point our research must commence, and we will begin it by pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found During two years I have had three consultations and one small girl said." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange unkempt, staring out at me. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the despaired of." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Very truly yours, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a very grave face. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of