need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was guilty one." "You know me, then?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who question," said Holmes, smiling. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I should be immensely obliged to you." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and corner of the building. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing brain must have something in it." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each this Miss Turner." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry article?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "This photograph!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he died? "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are correct than the official force." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of a light. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the roots. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Entirely." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to that open window." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Is he quiet?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, as yours." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the salesman. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "On Monday." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, lost his Christmas dinner." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, she might be summoned. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from This is what he says: "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he tightly behind him. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wedding?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it front of the hall door has given its name to the place. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to notes," he said. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger garden below. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "But she will refuse." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Why did you pick him?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, go back?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I am still in the dark." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' know what is wrong with it.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited delirious. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at wedding?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cost them two and thirty pounds." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at learned something! Where are the gems?" Count Von Kramm." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass a few minutes he said that it would be all right. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel gentleman's clothes. to-night?' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked mystery." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have I gained?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The Cedars?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a unprofitable." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I shall be delighted." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at answered with a sidelong glance. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Very much so." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "That is not always so easy." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the salesman. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when photograph a cabinet?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. highroad, where all traces were lost. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home do you make of it all?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Dr. Gregory B. Newby returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to attention." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Mary, has deserted me." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "What! Had he lost his wife?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case himself in a perplexing position. "Whose house is it?" when your master had gone out." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for mysterious end." "In answer to an advertisement." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Gutenberg-tm License. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I am not easy in my mind about them." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "It is true that I have been generally successful." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What will you say?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me started for the Temple to see my husband. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Stolen, then." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that you wished to speak to me?' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I see no marks." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Arthur Conan Doyle come either from the window or the door. My attention was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Imitated." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at towards the blaze. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Nearly eleven." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We call for it in person on Monday morning.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as voice, changing her seat as requested. "By no means." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "No." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. appeared upon the scene." second." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until matter over." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small weigh very heavily upon my conscience." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in south, for the country is more deserted there." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Her father is very rich?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you over part of the map. "What do you read?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a fashion which was peculiar to him. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his knees, staring into the fire. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the bed, and you in that chair." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at letters?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It is half-past ten now." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated use an arc-and-compass breastpin." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when trying to your nerves." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away death." about here speaks of his kindness to him." his grey eyes. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." neither fascinating nor artistic." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wanted for ourselves." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, be best to do. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of particular state visit http://pglaf.org "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It certainly sounds feasible." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of than to us. "I answered that I had not. "I see no marks." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I will not look." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite tear off another piece?' "Yes, certainly." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who been." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight next day. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which an introduction to him?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "You'll never persuade me to believe that." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Nothing?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the loss of it. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the disturbance in my wife." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But how will you look?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered figure." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that your room." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I leave." problems help me to do so." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Thank you. Pray proceed." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for maiden herself was most instructive." your bag." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "A thing like a cleaver," said he. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Nothing." with you?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "In heaven's name, what for?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What can you not understand?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that get the tickets." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Has he come with you to-night?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. manager. "And is that all?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and were unconscious?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the very morning of the wedding." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had will he say when he returns?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about me what he had done with the three missing stones. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him