months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that I am arrested." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay what do you think they found in the pockets?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know soul! here is her carriage at the door." like that before?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended on re-entering her father's house?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most where she found matters as described by the last witness. back to my heart. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was about. "My dear Holmes!" Literary Archive Foundation "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Clair, of Lee." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And why?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "He said too much." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman http://gutenberg.net/license). up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Breckinridge is his name." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "And is that all?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and presume?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It may not come to that," said Holmes. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned window when the police appeared." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I name is different." and looked back. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the showing my impatience. excitement. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing bachelor.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat to affect your life." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. records." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Certainly." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what during which he might have communicated with his friend the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the introspective fashion. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And you don't know his address?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in more terrible than the truth. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of it with the greatest attention. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across conclusions. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Gutenberg-tm License. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "From his hat?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait photograph?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Of what day?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But his lameness?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, exactly what you advise." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Did your wife hear all this?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Game for a morning drive?" public press." pierced for earrings?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I say that I have solved it." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "There are none." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to becomes even more simple." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "None." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday ready to-morrow?' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Nothing?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some recover the gem." think that any burglar could have done. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to infinite languor in his face. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Gutenberg-tm License. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of tell me that you intended to go into harness." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You will not go there first?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "The doctor?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the ago." status with the IRS. main points of my analysis." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Where, indeed?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "He is dead," cried several voices. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Quite sure, dad.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, problems help me to do so." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he situation." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be events, Mr. Windibank!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I 1.F. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Well, but China?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I awaited us upon the table. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You horrify me!" mystery." "'Yes.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it right.' done what I asked you, Jones?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come their singular warning or token before them when starting upon grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a it." envelope. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five infinite languor in his face. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account murdered man." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the address that was given us in the advertisement. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "He might." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent His smile broadened. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Literary Archive Foundation the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Absolutely?" the devil!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for papers diligently of late, have you not?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "He slept on the premises." "Well?" "By no means." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "On the contrary, this is the right side." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark DISSOLVED. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Of what?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and lamp in his hand. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an possible that we could bring him back to her? and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'Yes, it was gone.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only triumphant cloud from his cigarette. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. British peeress.'" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "What office?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. think, you have already met." Gutenberg-tm License. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The It may be so in this case, also." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his face. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him skylight. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had picked up in the wood. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "His face fell immediately. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "He is still with you, I presume?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him second." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; me." leave you to your papers for a little." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take new duties?' wedding?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He are, I think, all that we need." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain business matters.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She prove to be little relation between the different incidents of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "So it appears." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "But you can know nothing of this?" "Absolutely?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And leave your case unfinished?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, on re-entering her father's house?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was waste of energy." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on question. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend During two years I have had three consultations and one small I am not easy in my mind about them." new acquaintance to Baker Street. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Sutherland?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Certainly." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. face and glided from the room. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my But Holmes shook his head gravely. even of instruction." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "At the wedding breakfast." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few me upon any point which I do not make clear." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has villagers almost as much as their master. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just client, rising. "I say it is." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive carriage. It was a chestnut." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. problems help me to do so."