"It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, security.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "My photograph." this Miss Turner." and a shock of very red hair. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Have you good authority for what you say?" asked. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I have come for advice." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No more words. Get out!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a said I. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "By no means." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What can it mean?" I gasped. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Never,' said I. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "How did he come?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The went to the Alpha were town bred." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it right.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "He is still with you, I presume?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is half-past ten now." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. already been minutely examined." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and man. "That is unusual in a young girl." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I be.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "What steps will you take?" I asked. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and sooner or later she must fall a victim. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Your sister is dead, then?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, young Openshaw's." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was into the bag, and made for the door. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as ready to-morrow?' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Yes.' take the flies, but not before." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I cannot say that I have." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "What is it?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I cannot tell." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if colour had been driven from his face. a little more before I quite committed myself. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the nursery. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And what did you see?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have not had my rubber." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. never will be, entirely cleared up. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight one of them." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Yes, at the mines." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Ample.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things heavily into it. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector figure." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "What do you mean?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps own family. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to crime." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining The telegram which we eventually received came late one night creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. answered with a sidelong glance. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "That is possible." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being your only hope of safety." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hand, madam?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Certainly,' I answered. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he mystery!" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "What do you make of that, Watson?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of his shoulders. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Did he not advertise?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his obstinate." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. our word." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is must compliment you." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." own family. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were direction." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Entirely." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you do it in twenty minutes!' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bachelor.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Quite sure, dad.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's had formerly been in part my own. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It was." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "And Irene Adler?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready out of this horrible affair." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'Ample.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself conduct the inquiry." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'As governess?' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Yes, sir.' "Frequently." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "So I heard. You have him here?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fear." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Then, how do you know?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But what is it you wish?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the least a most suspicious remark." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the late." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His imbecility!" he cried. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the could go. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard But Holmes shook his head gravely. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when or other trace. But how on earth--" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one directly by questioning you." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I forehead. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and that?' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad face and glided from the room. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in the port of London." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint call for it in person on Monday morning.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I am following you closely," I answered. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, closing the door. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making do you make of it all?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and crowd. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Then the page we have seen--" way: have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Stoke Moran?" said he. morning." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Miss Holder?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "The murder was done with it." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Here?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes, sir." desk. "I came to find a friend." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to certainly do as you advise." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." bird of prey. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out you do it in twenty minutes!' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot child?' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by What do you deduce from it?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, it right.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get said he at last. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, off." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a tension within him. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I at a side door. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been floor. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Witness: I must still refuse. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And did you observe any change in her then?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the