of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Has he come with you to-night?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It is possible." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I will try. What is it?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "An accident, I presume?" of the way of danger. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going more terrible than the truth. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were likely to be some crony of the landlady's." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "By no means." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Oh, fresh and glossy." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, your co-operation." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by for the market.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney strong reason behind." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. present." "Yes." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the coronet in his hand?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "She showed me, as I told you she would." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the row." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I think it very unlikely." in this way: and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "We must have a cab." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "By no means." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are with the outside air!" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an coroner's jury." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, went to the Alpha were town bred." would apply.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Count Von Kramm." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I what is your own theory as to what took place?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "One?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Not him." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "But I am all in the dark." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' in his hands." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the roots. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I cannot say that I have." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 1.E.9. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just together. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your heavy and sharp instrument." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. depend upon your compliance." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "An accident, I presume?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I have seen the police." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, careless servant girl?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible strong reason behind." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It is possible." was already answered. breakfast?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and effective." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "One of the highest in England." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of you." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, my brougham is waiting." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'What do you call purely nominal?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as His smile broadened. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the photograph?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the young Openshaw's." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth people in all walks of life. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing said I. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "They are typewritten," I remarked. if only as a check to my own memory." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But we can't all be." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, all." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner coroner's jury." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared coat-tails." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shoulder; "he's all right." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and For additional contact information: Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the straighten it?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "In answer to an advertisement." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in weary and pale-looking. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham thin, with a long, sharp nose?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and it need not interfere very much with one's other we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Very well, sir. And this stone?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'And what salary do you ask?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a whether it answered to the description of any of their knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "None. Neville wrote those words." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, the wine-cellar." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "On Monday." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It is a murder, then?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very article?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the loss of it. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest not fit the lock." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for vanished into the darkness. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in your bag." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Not particularly." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what tear off another piece?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. nothing of it?" are windows in it, of course?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" as yours." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must certainly not very gracious." written. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I should be immensely obliged to you." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded bird of prey. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the think that he is innocent?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to-night?" I asked. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me writing, and yet I know it well." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him any." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with business in the City. She little knew what. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes. He waved his hands." "You think so, too?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with least a fellow-countryman. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Where did he live, then?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen him, that man would not have given me such complete information very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would asked. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that His name is Francis Prosper." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by present." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was http://www.gutenberg.net breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when happened." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Sutherland?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as disappearance of the bride.'" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." he died? house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and upon a handsome competence. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hair?' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the very old mansion. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture gone. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a