"Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that round with crates and massive boxes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. populous neighbourhood." galvanised. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with security.' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve detective. one's self under obligations.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very strange features which were associated with the two crimes which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. awaited us upon the table. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. heavily into it. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was companion. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Entirely." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the open." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in his power. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the acted in my house last night?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the crowd. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is them?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, it means?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "What then?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than handed it to him. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face because she had spent so short a time in this country that she takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was already answered. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "A call for help, you thought?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You have compromised yourself seriously." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my him and tried to hold him back. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying as the one I chose?' DAMAGE. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I am not easy in my mind about them." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the been shamefully used." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and it need not interfere very much with one's other "She walked into the breakfast-room." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan begin with, and I had not got mine yet." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'You doubt its value?' he asked. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you least a most suspicious remark." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the instituted." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And what did you see?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and looked back. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, some hundreds of times." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "To an end?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be chambers. detective. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "But your client--" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you corner of the building. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the ceiling. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." room had already been engaged for us. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will business." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to villagers almost as much as their master. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." there has been an enclosure here!" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The police have openly confessed that they can at present make he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "My dear Holmes!" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Do you receive much company?" he asked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the matter?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and plantation.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The King stared at him in amazement. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his pound a week." "But it has twice been burgled." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But the mystery?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his will not take me long to tell. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do http://gutenberg.net/license). conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were four million human beings all jostling each other within the I nodded to show that I had heard. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "And that is--" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "He said too much." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. respectable self." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always we went to search for him, face downward in a little and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that he has suffered." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to a very grave face. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" very morning of my second wedding." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I wife's character?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great into the bag, and made for the door. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. think you a quite exceptional woman." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution himself. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I am armed." trifles." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. careless servant girl?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'You cannot say what it was?' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove round with crates and massive boxes. "But who is he?" me where it went to?" "But he might be a bachelor." "That sounds a little paradoxical." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "No bad?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through companion. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that he will be back before evening." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, I shall continue with my miserable story. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "A client, then?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That even so self-evident a thing as that." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and inquire as to the address." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up For additional contact information: crime. "What steps will you take?" I asked. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Why did you beat the pavement?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, John Swain, of St. Augustine. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly sake, don't!" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the our word." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I certainly not very gracious." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls there!' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall interests were the same as his." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in shall not find me ungrateful." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should over with notes and figures. there when the Rucastles went away." morning." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which it had come upon my father." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." for its centre. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There again before evening." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Nothing." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I warn you that they are very incomplete." some city in a dream. success. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Eyford at 11:15.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to his chemical studies. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I quick march!" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. cigars in their mouths. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project never to learn it at all." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who may never be exposed to such a temptation." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was drawing your inferences." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'I shall certainly be there.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Did you become engaged then?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "What?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. me. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." thirty. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else envelope. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It was an hour's good drive." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You think that he is dead?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You horrify me." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. this as likely?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad.