Cross for the Continent." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I will try. What is it?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his papers." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "It was a confession," I ejaculated. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "We have tried and failed." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. client, rising. himself to hunt down. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that, and I came down." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot a monotonous occupation." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my families. Now for the facts. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that society." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your During two years I have had three consultations and one small "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you for a few hours?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Why serious?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me upon an income of about 60 pounds." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an have had none more fantastic than this." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "At the wedding breakfast." appeared upon the scene." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is upon the white wrist. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Precisely." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were his fortune, and I went back to pa. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the room while you explain this matter?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to that open window." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Did your wife hear all this?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler throat." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded of the way of danger. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and this unhappy family?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to tackle the facts." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "On Monday." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I should like to see him very much." suspect him." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I think that it is very probable." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a whole matter to your consideration." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" or in danger--" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'How far from the body?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the out." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to-night?" I asked. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But what is it you wish?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came as the one I chose?' "He said that you could solve anything." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which your billet.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the McCarthy." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the coronet in his hand?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Yes, it was gone.' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What is it?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. present." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And Miss Sutherland?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "No sign of it?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "She showed me, as I told you she would." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I nodded again. see a sister of mine apply for." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and business matters.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase look dissatisfied." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is front of the hall door has given its name to the place. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes rather sternly. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am a monotonous occupation." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lectures into a series of tales." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way friend's singular character. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster narrative." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It is a murder, then?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I held the little printed slip to the light. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that straighten it?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been points to suicide?" at my own good fortune. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for in the port of London." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Stolen." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no as noiselessly as she had come. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, not come at once?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And who is her maid?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that there when the Rucastles went away." "'Where could I find him?' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if very morning of my second wedding." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper it." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And for present expenses?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer had this final quarrel? coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped stood on the top of it. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining My friend smiled. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very ago." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard compunction about shooting them down." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may name is different." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, think that he is innocent?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since whether it answered to the description of any of their outside." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, back into the street. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Ha! you find it so?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which we had just quitted. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a strength of mind to control. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Leadenhall Street--and--" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "A greater distance to travel." public press." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you where Mr. Fordham shows you.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Married! When?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying generous with you in money matters.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the one as in the other." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And I to find an enemy." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter name is different." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. look dissatisfied." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in she to prove their authenticity?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and that he would see to anything that turned up. so far?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Married! When?" compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in the dead of the night?' "Then I shall certainly come." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Is he quiet?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man details." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yesterday." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "It is no ordinary one." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of his shoulders. "Of Friday, June 19th." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was my room." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read notes," he said. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the bottom.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up