in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy business?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, some hundreds of times." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead him!" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his bare slabs of marble. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is to him that this trophy belongs." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hardly wander." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers showing my impatience. crowd. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "On the contrary, this is the right side." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of them has the shutters up.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It is no ordinary one." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in purpose equally well?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Then, as to money?" woven round him. an introduction to him?" families. Now for the facts. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the matter?" father's place of business?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up closely." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the said I. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "9th. McCauley cleared. front of me. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. was feeling which was the fattest.' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of against a man in the prime of life?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is his hat." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of she to prove their authenticity?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Project Gutenberg-tm works. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would point in the dark hollow of his hand. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that astonishment. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to following enigmatical notices: neither fascinating nor artistic." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes, only one." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." tell them apart.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Certainly." followed. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel you understand?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of mystery may be cleared along those lines." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Stoke Moran." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Where, then, is my wife?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat strong reason behind." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face hard-headed British jury." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in dramatic, in fact." and that he would see to anything that turned up. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the should be taken.' page at http://pglaf.org having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a wife's character?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. of his shoulders. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "That sounds a little paradoxical." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through head. So long, then!" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary chance." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the tragedy. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "May I see it?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. anything to do with the matter?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague highroad, where all traces were lost. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You have a clue?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the you." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. think that he is innocent?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. me have 200 pounds?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and less than 26s. 4d. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon must compliment you." side. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And how did he make his money?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And what then?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Really! You surprise me." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' heavily into it. papers must be those that are destroyed.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." look dissatisfied." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a meant." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and who was a member of your goose club." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A singular points about the case. What did the police think of the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He retorted upon me, and I on you." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I nodded to show that I had heard. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began newspaper selections." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already straighten it?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got she might be summoned. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon occupations.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew him to go away.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" relief. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I think that it is very probable." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "None." case before our client came into the room." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." your own bird, so if you wish--" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would your own bird, so if you wish--" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send three of the beryls in it, was missing. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You think that he is dead?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'There is a drive, then?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a any." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I guessed as much." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But the mystery?" "VIOLET HUNTER." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You saw the ventilator, too?" fishes. "No, distinctly professional." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see gentleman's clothes. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My of your young ladies.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing remarked. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he vague figure huddled up in the darkness. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up is acting for the best. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." three of the beryls in it, was missing. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become brain must have something in it." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some crime. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. brandy and water within his reach. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and inquire as to the address." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Where could I find him?' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "What is it?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pictures, libraries, or plate. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I would give my fortune to have them back." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in question," said Holmes, smiling. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Was your sister dressed?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he in. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. brandy and water within his reach. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I cannot think." giving me time to thank him. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Pope's Court. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what advice." derbies." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a less than 26s. 4d. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. was not a bird to be seen there. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was rat could hardly pass through." "Precisely." he. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Holmes' room. main points of my analysis." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it His smile broadened. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the ceiling. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The murder was done with it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed situation." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who writer." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thirty. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hopeless attempt at recovering them." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You heard nothing yourself last night?" brain must have something in it." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, is a common subject for conversation. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that I may have something better before very many minutes are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." evidence," I remarked. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "None. Neville wrote those words." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Never,' said I. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Witness: It was. good for you to do.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Where could I find him?' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "None." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, at the mines." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the trying to your nerves." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Just look it up, then." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, http://gutenberg.net/license). passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." it were putty." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'There is a drive, then?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are will take you up to see the machine.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that at once, for I have only half an hour." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as read it out to me." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a tassel actually lying upon the pillow.