"They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." kindly on the shoulder. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best cause to be." placed his cuttings. "ARAT," I read. "'What then?' I asked. guilty one." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'What, the red-headed man?' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I would pay ten." himself in a perplexing position. "Yes, sir." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But how did you gain them?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." here and I will read it to you: grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I brain must have something in it." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, me what he had done with the three missing stones. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." confronted him. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Imitated." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Won't it ring?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other green of the new foliage. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, fashion which was peculiar to him. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you it." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And why?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a detained." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and your billet.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "That is it on the dressing-table." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had daring than any effort of the imagination." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet when your master had gone out." conduct the inquiry." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were 'please.'" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I fear not." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw congratulate you again." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn three of the beryls in it, was missing. some city in a dream. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "VIOLET HUNTER." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do closing the door. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, as yours." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped occupations.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Which are?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do your sleep?' him, that man would not have given me such complete information really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just crime. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I would give my fortune to have them back." observed. "I am about to be married." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a cheerful." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained at home. point in the dark hollow of his hand. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say direction." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside showing my impatience. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I held the little printed slip to the light. "But we can't all be." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I am not easy in my mind about them." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Frequently." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might you." "Not in a good cause." house for five minutes.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then this truth that in these little records of our cases which you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or companion. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is unprofitable." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, train.' not come at once?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I do." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You don't mind breaking the law?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward in the hope of finding them." "Dirty?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "And it is--" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I as yours." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." License. You must require such a user to return or had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." three of the beryls in it, was missing. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "He said that you could solve anything." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you came in." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And why?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I promise," said Holmes. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he leaning back in his chair. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a do." "No." go from here to the Strand." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I have hopes." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "About a month then." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the But Holmes shook his head gravely. would apply.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows me. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Mrs. Toller serenely. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "In heaven's name, what for?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. as the one I chose?' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Then I do not see the point." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the inquest, and which are worth considering." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It's nothing of the kind." child?' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly it with his own hands." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate outbreak?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons my little problems." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "What will you say?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the matter." "But how will you look?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "The Coroner: What do you mean? the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the matter?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. a good hundred miles off by now." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Young McCarthy must be got off, however." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only directors have had misgivings upon the subject." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "When did it break out?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, locked." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only meant." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "She told me to ask you." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "The murder was done with it." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "The Cedars?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I beg pardon." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were used to be." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Certainly,' I answered. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I cannot imagine." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of fear." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the article?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended outside. results." to some other building. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Pray do so." of." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have too. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which It was close upon four before the door opened, and a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then unprecedented a position." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The this truth that in these little records of our cases which you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "BALLARAT." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, tension within him. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a is four-and-twenty." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and from the brougham. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is ceremony." "None." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem