what I may call a really hard day's work." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. chance." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always could go. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nonsense.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and the church but not where the lady lived." Munro.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "What, then?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I shall most certainly do so." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Very murderous indeed." might help us?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. cigars in the box." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who allusion to a rat. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and do." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little thin legs towards the fire. heavily into it. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Not him." "And what then?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the ceiling. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock mystery." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Witness: It was. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Well, some hundreds of times." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Sutherland. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My own seal." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to Leatherhead. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the coronet in his hands?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "On your arm?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is indeed which he could not unravel. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Foundation "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "What then?" "Yes, all." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I held the little printed slip to the light. interests were the same as his." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Then let me do so?' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Deserted you?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the child." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable lost nothing by them." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left bore every mark of being an average commonplace British letters?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Is purely nominal.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "No?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly easy-going way." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "That is unusual in a young girl." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" man. I know him from the photograph." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round been lifted and conveyed somewhere." disappearance of these gems?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." for its centre. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her presented more singular features than that which was associated All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET even of instruction." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I do." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, possible that we could bring him back to her? remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a entirely lost his self-respect." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." more terrible than the truth. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And what did you see?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." about. "I think it very unlikely." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been humiliation." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he from the brougham. "But you can know nothing of this?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in man. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Certainly not.' direction." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Yes, sir.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should six. Come in!" "'Yes, I promise.' instituted." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey quickly through a disagreeable task. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the bottom.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without some water from a caraffe. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And your mother is alive?" and wait." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." for securing the situation." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us case-book, which he consulted. who was a member of your goose club." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of neither fascinating nor artistic." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Who was the criminal, then?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to following enigmatical notices: He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Entirely." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen in the hope of finding them." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate What do you deduce from it?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Lee, in the county of Kent." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." business came to an end." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to arrive at through this?" father's young wife. "What steps will you take?" I asked. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "At the wedding breakfast." the stones. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her them?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that It may be so in this case, also." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to change my dress. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'What are you doing there?' he asked. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fear." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Miss Holder?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "ARAT," I read. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I see no marks." bachelor.' "It is very clear." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to bill, which interests me deeply." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And help." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "You horrify me." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "But you would not advise me to refuse?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "That you are never beaten." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated about. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he your room." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It is possible." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had he bowed and left the room without another word. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Really! You surprise me." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close may have an influence upon European history." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Texas, I think." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall if I call to-morrow?" "Well, some hundreds of times." purpose equally well?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that tail." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young your sleep?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'You cannot say what it was?' skylight. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no important." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "None. Neville wrote those words." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the But Holmes shook his head gravely. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and all of them with the keenest interest. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I think it very unlikely." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw narrative." presume?" "And how did you find out?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: dramatic, in fact." "It is possible." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Eh? What was that?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit meanly of me." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own becomes even more simple." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes' face clouded over. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "He might." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl both be extremely obliged.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who infinite languor in his face. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, matter." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress do.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Here?" "'Never,' said I. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to that open window." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Pray continue your narrative." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. astonishment. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was lame." "'I am sure that I do not know.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden without a word or a look. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me For additional contact information: cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life