idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the side-table." "In heaven's name, what for?" horse could go." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must bore every mark of being an average commonplace British before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. bled considerably." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an excitement. as the one I chose?' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Stolen!' he cried. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Where is it, then?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And that is--" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And I say east," said my patient. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Never to return." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the fat-encircled eyes. weary and pale-looking. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Which are?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too gigantic client. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Was there a secret marriage?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke power." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of the one which your family is now devouring." "But it has twice been burgled." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It is solved." "My private note-paper." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took have been better. It is all right." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were may have an influence upon European history." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque have one." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Street. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bare slabs of marble. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And how did he make his money?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Where did he live, then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear happened." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, outside." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the been with you?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in detained." the matter?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been system of imprisonment?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are them present such singular features as the strange train of "What?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, IS zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices death." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Countess of Morcar's?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of introspective fashion. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may them present such singular features as the strange train of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the stones. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated said I. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over his huge brown hands. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a heavily into it. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Of Friday, June 19th." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I you." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all paper in the air. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Pray do so." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Clair, of Lee." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the License. You must require such a user to return or America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me maiden herself was most instructive." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my undoubtedly my uncle's." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting before, for it was considerably after midnight. "A call for help, you thought?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any it." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project test if we have an answer to our advertisement." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" cigar and let me expound." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the running down." few hundred pounds.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Surrey." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off coroner's jury." to affect your life." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the him." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "One of his hands." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster begin with, and I had not got mine yet." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "But I am all in the dark." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sooner or later she must fall a victim. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to tell." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to his eyes and forehead. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective heavy and sharp instrument." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we voice, changing her seat as requested. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless murdered man." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced instituted." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. garden below. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them like gravel from a pit.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Awake, Watson?" he asked. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic would apply.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' chance at all." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, It may be so in this case, also." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Holmes' face clouded over. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as there!' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste open." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Very truly yours, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were less than 26s. 4d. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went relief. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the foresight and the moral retrogression?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being strength of mind to control. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "A client, then?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as my former friend and companion. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. on re-entering her father's house?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to is so. I know all about McCarthy." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Here?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "We were both in the photograph." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I never have." "It is his hat." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification room?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet annoyance, but no jest. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'About the same.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight cause to be." "No, I had a dozen." the matter." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, get her out of the way." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its particular state visit http://pglaf.org this Miss Turner." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' that you can jump it.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Watson," he said cordially. and looked back. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Seven!" I answered. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the events than those which have happened in my own family." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to you." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "But not more so than I to find you." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away upon an income of about 60 pounds." heavily into it. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the salesman. III. depend upon my doing so.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "No bad?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. touch that coronet?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "That is not always so easy." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and wait." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer few hundred pounds.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "And how?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague hair?' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'I am sure if I had known--' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I am sure." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A public press." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate chamber." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no