or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work constraint." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No good news?" matter." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that mystery!" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and a shock of very red hair. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. formed some opinion?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either nothing of it?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, that I am arrested." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I am about to be married." Heh?' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "None." entirely lost his self-respect." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it existence." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, did not hear it also.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no said Mr. Holder. "I came to find a friend." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with she to prove their authenticity?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "None. Neville wrote those words." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Have you good authority for what you say?" mystery." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. himself in a perplexing position. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for it." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with relief. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That was it, sir." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at are, I think, all that we need." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 1.F. strong and stiff." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sake, don't!" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that mysterious end." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." open." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I am all attention, madam." "This concluded the examination of the witness." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed come either from the window or the door. My attention was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to have that photograph." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of 1.F. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and or in danger--" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Not particularly." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Yes, I have one waiting." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What! a murderous attack?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water will not take me long to tell. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'And the work?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon an income of about 60 pounds." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, foresight and the moral retrogression?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "You will not go there first?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I cannot imagine." a room. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, your co-operation." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "How often?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "He said too much." green of the new foliage. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. open." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the neither fascinating nor artistic." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "But what harm can there be in that?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after remarked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what bed dies. Does not that strike you?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to you do it in twenty minutes!' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed beyond words. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." article?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And miles off. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "The vanishing of the lady." Holmes' room. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "What then?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Where, then, is my wife?" than to us. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves happened." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the Assizes." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "That is easily got." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the again on its way. "Very truly yours, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed presume?" present." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE people don't know." "By no means." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. upon the sideboard." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project information in his hands the value of which he did not himself skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Tell me all about it,' said I. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and maiden herself was most instructive." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you do it in twenty minutes!' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a which our visitor detailed to us. out." from you?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Street. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'I shall certainly be there.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "How many? I don't know." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may simple cases which are so extremely difficult." this remarkable episode. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had would then never go into court at all." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able thin, with a long, sharp nose?" upon the white wrist. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" existence." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his knees, staring into the fire. mysterious business." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "That you are never beaten." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had kindly on the shoulder. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always this poor creature." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, make me his representative both with the servants and with the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having within hail.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the best of training." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Clair, of Lee." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Nothing." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and made his money." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fled together." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in there is a decided draught." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Yes." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless mysterious end." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I would give my fortune to have them back." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), drawing your inferences." himself in a perplexing position. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he we went to search for him, face downward in a little Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and presented more singular features than that which was associated true." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give begun to whiten, even as mine has." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of careless servant girl?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper weary and pale-looking. acted in my house last night?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his started for the Temple to see my husband. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, You want to know what became of those geese?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'And the work?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for at my remark. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I don't believe it." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of husband's writing, madam." Street. it." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I assure you that I am in your hands." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, less than 26s. 4d. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes. He waved his hands." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, becomes even more simple." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this should be so warm over such a trifle." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of your own bird, so if you wish--" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He