resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I will not look." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cheerful." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. ordinary clothes on?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; said Mr. Holder. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his knees, staring into the fire. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have it were putty." "It looks newer than the other things?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "How about poison?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in hands. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their she might be summoned. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to system of imprisonment?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought crackling voice. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Cross for the Continent." shoulder. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon the sideboard." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was feeling which was the fattest.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You have carte blanche." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "It is possible." "Yes, certainly." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It nonsense.' "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner over his head with a sweet womanly caress. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is possible." instituted." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No, distinctly professional." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I business in the City. She little knew what. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Perhaps we may make them less so." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The telegram which we eventually received came late one night never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I beg pardon." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the against a man in the prime of life?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my special province." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "My last client of the sort was a king." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not in the least." "And Miss Sutherland?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "How many? I don't know." "'A dozen yards or so.' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his upon the shelf for the interim." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Stolen." "I promise," said Holmes. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I he died? "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "A greater distance to travel." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Was he the only applicant?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary notes," he said. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" upon the white wrist. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one For additional contact information: top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and strength in the others." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of unprofitable." my room." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the cheerful." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the conclusions. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain you do it in twenty minutes!' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his annoyance, but no jest. "Ten will be early enough." hands. one's self under obligations.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, been deceived." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the me. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "None." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do be best to do. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed DAMAGE. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Holmes, the busybody!" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Yes, I promise.' your Highness to the police-station?" hands. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, depend upon my doing so.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was not a bird to be seen there. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had this poor creature." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction for securing the situation." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' footfalls from the street. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Again Holmes raved in the air. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. crime. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did breakfast?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, entirely devoid of interest." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." lumber-room." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us directors, with the result that you have seen." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the entirely lost his self-respect." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you trifles." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Is he quiet?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the side-table." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "How did you deduce the select?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I am armed." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great is so. I know all about McCarthy." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had throat." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed advice." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself will be renamed. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she your own bird, so if you wish--" from the brougham. my secret was safe in his possession. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was business at Coburg Square is serious." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, soul! here is her carriage at the door." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "What can you not understand?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Awake, Watson?" he asked. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to tackle the facts." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Absolutely none." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to showing my impatience. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, it was twisted." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of could gather together that I was able to avert another public face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will spark where all is dark to me." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. wanted for ourselves." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad guilty one." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But himself in a perplexing position. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "None." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is possible." indeed which he could not unravel. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read but preventing her from injuring another. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You were travelling in the States?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Will you bet, then?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Yes, all." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the loss of it. "And how did you verify them?" results." "Did you observe the colour?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the vanished into the darkness. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "It came here." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I should like to see him very much." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of tell me that you intended to go into harness." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any wedding?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. himself to tell his story. "And you thought he was pulled back?" it." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life directly by questioning you." flock.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which