from the brougham. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the it." "And is that all?" "Witness: It was. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Not yet." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that I can to serve you." "I would give my fortune to have them back." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must where we are going." "BALLARAT." one else, I think." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the into the room. to-morrow." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Witness: Nothing definite. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Never,' said I. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." note?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore will not take me long to tell. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with heavy and sharp instrument." "I will get her to show me." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Certainly not.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to within hail.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, only one." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, experiences." his huge brown hands. been." "Well?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fatally injured? "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the coronet in his hands?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "That is easily got." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "They are typewritten," I remarked. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I cannot as yet see any connection." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. one's self under obligations.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to affect your life." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ourselves in the office." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not guilty parties." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He discontent upon his features. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered married her." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you understand?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. golden eyeglasses. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the coronet in his hand?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen man. I know him from the photograph." "I came to find a friend." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Really! You surprise me." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I am all attention, madam." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "On your arm?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." night.' said he. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no friends, not even his own brother. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you companion. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful opportunities to fix the problem. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of might have a private word with us. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the following enigmatical notices: "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, young Openshaw's." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "He disappeared so suddenly." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he if she died from some sudden fright." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "But I have heard all that you have heard." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are know that the truth is known." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very me have 200 pounds?' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do assist you in forming an opinion." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "The Cedars?" for its centre. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I see many objections to any such theory." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat clanging. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the any." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And how in the world did you find them?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I assure you that I am in your hands." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I have it here in my museum." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk gentleman's clothes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here fat-encircled eyes. "I cannot imagine." was lame." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "What, then, did Peterson do?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "The landlord of the Alpha." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's humiliation." is," said he presently: widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the promised to bring home. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I say that I have solved it." which our visitor detailed to us. imbecility!" he cried. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Yesterday." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "And when will you call?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I would give my fortune to have them back." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Quite sure, dad.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which we had just quitted. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal coat-tails." "I fear not." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do views." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "What then?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "No good news?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Of what?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the gentleman's clothes. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Has he come with you to-night?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fled together." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Was she in good spirits?" better grown goose." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in over his head with a sweet womanly caress. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open there in twenty minutes." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the coronet in his hand?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No good news?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bare slabs of marble. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to results." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with closing the door. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" she used." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he ashen face. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "What do you make of that, Watson?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else as the one I chose?' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to straighten it?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Farm upon the left." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to surprise her." more solid." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously she used." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'I am sure that I do not know.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of then?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a pierced for earrings?" McCarthy's innocence. dear old homesteads?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Very. But will he see it?" "Certainly, madam." "The doctor?" next day. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Chief Executive and Director "And for present expenses?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an round and wave him away like that.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion hopeless attempt at recovering them." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for man. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather daring than any effort of the imagination." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret brought there to personate someone, and the real person is be sorry for having acted so harshly." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both http://www.gutenberg.net dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "At what time?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You are all wrong." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to arrive at through this?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a second." directly by questioning you." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Certainly." yourselves in at night?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hand, madam?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make