"I know where it is." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what know what is wrong with it.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short recall any case within my experience which looked at the first this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a at once, for I have only half an hour." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with second." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for at once, for I have only half an hour." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Who was the criminal, then?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me both be extremely obliged.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "You have it, sir, just as it happened." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "My opinion is in no way altered." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You have a clue?" that you wished to speak to me?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Why did you beat the pavement?" bled considerably." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the few hundred pounds.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his asked with his eyes open. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And now?" He raised his hand. "It is very kind of you." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his fortune, and I went back to pa. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "If I can be of use." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And who is her maid?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Why serious?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "My Mary? Impossible!" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to there!' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning he. problems help me to do so." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just row." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was late!' case-book, which he consulted. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see up this clue while it is still hot." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving she might be summoned. back into the street. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wedding?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. never will be, entirely cleared up. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a way in." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the orange pips. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "But what is it you wish?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Where is it, then?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And sit in the dark?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." will he say when he returns?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias who was a member of your goose club." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my room." disappearance of the bride.'" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper during that time.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the Friday. Was it to be in church?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which peculiar to him. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Bought." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "And how did he make his money?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a come either from the window or the door. My attention was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Precisely." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of them has the shutters up.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out woven round him. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran criminal. We have already had experience of such." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Certainly." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Nothing." at home. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the undoubtedly my uncle's." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point burst into a hearty fit of laughter. 11:15.' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the side-table." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up garden below. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that you wished to speak to me?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a notes," he said. cup of tea. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the affair. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I promise," said Holmes. strength." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. made his money." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to arrive at through this?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a out of this horrible affair." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather absorbing." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; about here speaks of his kindness to him." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that there was nothing in it, after all." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Why serious?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place shadow pass over his face as I spoke. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by what is your own theory as to what took place?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "9th. McCauley cleared. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Because he was handy and would come cheap." strong reason behind." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of easy-going way." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Get out!" said he. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's was a loud and authoritative tap. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now a good hundred miles off by now." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the neither fascinating nor artistic." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I respectable self." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt read over the extraordinary announcement. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Very good.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, from Horsham." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "One?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave intrusion of other matters." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his despaired of." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, on in his house." "Then I shall certainly come." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the roused himself from his reverie. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "What do you mean?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and more terrible than the truth. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." knowledge of the world." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new or in danger--" really the only notable feature about the thing." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that I can to serve you." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." again on its way. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Have you it here?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted main points of my analysis." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both humiliation." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Yes, sir.' "I am all attention, madam." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Why serious?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this or other trace. But how on earth--" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to some other building. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "VIOLET HUNTER." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up done what I asked you, Jones?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was lame." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the King without delay." written, and locked the door of the office after me. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "What are they?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Of Friday, June 19th." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination three fields round his house, and there he would take his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and presume?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification very old mansion. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he stammered. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The landlord of the Alpha." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before since then to throw any light upon what became of him." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect assist you in forming an opinion." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain through." intrusion of other matters." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cup of tea. cause to be." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of a light. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Nothing?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Does that suggest anything?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do new acquaintance to Baker Street. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and put his glass in his pocket. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the dramatic, in fact." goes." "And what did you learn from him?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the your Highness to the police-station?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No good news?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What are they?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which our visitor detailed to us. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you.