furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "No, my brougham is waiting." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt chill to my heart. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the Red-headed League." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him disturbance in my wife." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. empty. man. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the dangers which encompass me." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It was." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and laid it on the table. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled nonsense.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." my friend's incisive reasoning. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the me where it went to?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Not social, then?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was coat-tails." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always best detective that ever lived. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Holmes. "He disappeared so suddenly." of this gang." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Tired-looking or fresh?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Witness: It was. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which second." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, more solid." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of believe that I should never have any practice at all. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the me. as the one I chose?' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Pope's Court, Fleet Street." straightened it out again. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What is it, then--a fire?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or you." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of chance at all." there." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You have carte blanche." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "My opinion is in no way altered." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "She will not sell." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when had this final quarrel? voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, it is a possible supposition." hopeless attempt at recovering them." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "You are certainly joking, Holmes." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies will he say when he returns?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And leave your case unfinished?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to I leave." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The possible that we could bring him back to her? "So it appears." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of developed." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a conduct the inquiry." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet closing the door. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had something of him before." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are disappearance of these gems?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling papers." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to tackle the facts." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It was." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Stoke Moran." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be DISSOLVED. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "How did he come?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he bowed and left the room without another word. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "The Cedars?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her which we had just quitted. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded child?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. both be extremely obliged.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that you saw all that I did." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about presume?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And what then?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: a few minutes he said that it would be all right. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Why serious?" ventilator." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Could he throw no light?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his yourselves in at night?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to asked. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Well?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cigars in the box." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we knowledge of the world." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Witness: Nothing definite. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking galvanised. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the you." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, but only for you and me." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not personally threatened." papers must be those that are destroyed.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong II. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell beyond words. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and unprofitable." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Street. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of the way of danger. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, man. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you tension within him. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dear old homesteads?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On your Highness to the police-station?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," morning." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. stepfather?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was joking. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Yes, it would be as well." good for you to do.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our useful material for showing traces. The double line a little what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Nothing." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I leave." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Come in!" said he. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or help us in this matter." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the tail." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE out." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation said Mr. Holder. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the narrative." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. clang of the bell. indiscretion." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I events, Mr. Windibank!" "That is not always so easy." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to passage and a tap at the door. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, everything which you would wish to know." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I overpowering excitement and concern. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ways including including checks, online payments and credit card cause to be." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and looked back. there when the Rucastles went away." "Well, some hundreds of times." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and all of them with the keenest interest. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "No, I think that I'll take it." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Do you know him?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, closing the door. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out golden eyeglasses. Chief Executive and Director dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. he died? down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone province." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." keep the flames under. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Very. But will he see it?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and allusion to a rat. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "But what will you do?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "One of the highest in England." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in the hope of finding them."