'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin geese which you supplied to the Alpha." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "How did that help you?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "It is a murder, then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You horrify me!" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Ah!" "You horrify me." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Certainly,' I answered. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." written. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my instituted." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." papers must be those that are destroyed.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial business?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Dr. Becher's." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had you, my dear young lady?' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Thank you. Pray proceed." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of appeared upon the scene." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What is it?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with tell me that you intended to go into harness." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife with frightened eyes at his accuser. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Thank you. Pray proceed." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a you." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on at home. in his power. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Sutherland?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who arrangements." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "And from a noble client?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "An accident, I presume?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of correct than the official force." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." like gravel from a pit.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the became a certainty. "Pray do so." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this hour?' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was not a bird to be seen there. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the south-west, I see." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But your client--" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and your relations to her." "That is not always so easy." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at my own good fortune. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well, some hundreds of times." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Very murderous indeed." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I approached. http://gutenberg.net/license). groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. bled considerably." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "No." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." than to us. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind already referred to. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that once more to my work. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but point in the dark hollow of his hand. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." third from London." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was it brought him the coronet? and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless From what you have told me I think that it is possible that downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an where we are going." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in a very precise fashion." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Texas, I think." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to take care of herself." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that some mystery and the punishment of some crime." you?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest yet." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been exactly what you advise." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had meant it for the best. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'What do you call purely nominal?' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Very truly yours, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest taking in every detail of the apartment. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took behind me. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "No, I think that I'll take it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "No." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to miss it." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain him, that man would not have given me such complete information At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Absolutely?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." opportunities to fix the problem. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between you understand?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that you can jump it.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his green of the new foliage. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be is now desirous of getting those letters back." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a woman." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Never.' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that will not take me long to tell. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for stalked out of the room. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But how?" your troubles." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I cannot tell." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "On your arm?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of with her." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss o'clock is it?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between just called myself is not exactly my own." voice, changing her seat as requested. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is made him keep the appointment." you give your casting vote to?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for letters?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few careless servant girl?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her http://gutenberg.net/license). "'What then?' I asked. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this American. Then who could this American be, and why should he nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I think that I could be of assistance to you." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Very truly yours, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Well." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were them?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can *** START: FULL LICENSE *** thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "How long did she speak to this Alice?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." awkward doing business with an alias." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Witness: Nothing definite. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I shall most certainly do so." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled made his money." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Was there a secret marriage?" least a fellow-countryman. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. thin legs towards the fire. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and laid it on the table. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony The King stared at him in amazement. voice, changing her seat as requested. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "But I have heard all that you have heard." for and were ordered to this address. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the October 9, 1890. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "My own seal." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting be there in time for your coming." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was lame." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his mysterious end." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a do." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress orange pips. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the own family. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted gone before you can get him to hospital." cigars in their mouths. your billet.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Precisely so. But how--" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No. What a strange idea!" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Witness: I must still refuse. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to for and were ordered to this address. "Ah!" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I copied or distributed: was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "And what did you learn from him?" way in." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You don't mind breaking the law?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other business matters.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You were travelling in the States?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'And the work?' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell views." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up official police." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" tell them apart.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." front of me. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from