"'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and nonsense.' voice. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Frequently." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? indeed happy." your own bird, so if you wish--" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded than was visible to me." "Yes, but only for you and me." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." written. "Have you it here?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect was already answered. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "But to whom?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." villagers almost as much as their master. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and the colonel ushered me in. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, straightened it out again. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Did you observe the colour?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Eh? What was that?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Very murderous indeed." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the as he folded up the epistle. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat be sorry for having acted so harshly." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I nodded again. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far me. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'No, I know no one in these parts.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I am to be neutral?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have established a very serious case against the son of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, only one." "The landlord of the Alpha." weapon." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No legal papers or certificates?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That is possible." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the an introduction to him?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It is possible." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'I am sure if I had known--' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I cannot imagine." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I was sure that I might rely on you." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But how?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Again Holmes raved in the air. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I business at Coburg Square is serious." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand careless servant girl?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies matter over." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a bled considerably." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day breakfast." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to-night's adventure." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cheerful." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been a good hundred miles off by now." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then the page we have seen--" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing despair." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is 11:15.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his if she died from some sudden fright." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my retorted upon me, and I on you." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his arrested. You then--" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Bought." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the address that was given us in the advertisement. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. arrested. You then--" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was a lad." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "That is not always so easy." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think suddenly upon us." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads memory. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Dr. Gregory B. Newby your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and effective." stepfather?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" nonsense.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me infinite languor in his face. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We awaited us upon the table. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Dark enough and sinister enough." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of your young ladies.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 woman." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I do." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He is still with you, I presume?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong he died? A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding about. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Really! You surprise me." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a power." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call points to suicide?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Countess of Morcar's?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and already been minutely examined." chemical work which was so dear to him. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head eavesdroppers?' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." paper in the air. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham http://www.gutenberg.net "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among generous with you in money matters.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "What have you to say now?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed is a common subject for conversation. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "How do you know, then?" served to weaken the effect. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, some water from a caraffe. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley rose-bushes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which words came to my lips. "And Irene Adler?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the place no limit on the sum I may draw." three fields round his house, and there he would take his hardly wander." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was think that he is innocent?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We The events in question occurred in the early days of my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his upon a handsome competence. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to arrive at through this?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are may have an influence upon European history." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Your sister is dead, then?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered public press." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And it is--" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by orange pips. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of events than those which have happened in my own family." "And the murderer?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and directors, with the result that you have seen." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he be best to do. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger allusion to a rat. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to than to us. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Surrey." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Awake, Watson?" he asked. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' companion imperturbably. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Does that suggest anything?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly during that time.' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of the way of danger. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may be. feature." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." my room." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "What!" he roared. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so