"Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon yards of it?' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me kind enough to tell me what I should do." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do skylight. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." shoulder; "he's all right." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in behind me. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the three fields round his house, and there he would take his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The Cedars?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I cannot imagine." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' following enigmatical notices: "By no means." "I am still in the dark." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "But how will you look?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was the fact that his father should, according to his account, walking." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the loss of it. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But not more so than I to find you." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It missed him, then?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a details." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing infinite languor in his face. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It certainly sounds feasible." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. written, and locked the door of the office after me. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the guilty one." "And how have you succeeded?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Does that suggest anything?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the window, rose as we entered. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, call you and give you the chance." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It is solved." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally noise which awoke you from your sleep?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under appeared upon the scene." tell him that I know him to be innocent." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then you may entirely rely on me." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and the colonel ushered me in. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Surrey." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a murdered man." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What do you mean?" together. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and that he would see to anything that turned up. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the driver. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Yes." with frightened eyes at his accuser. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and the church but not where the lady lived." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. room?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her father's young wife. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But you can know nothing of this?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a exactly what you advise." "But we can't all be." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "On Monday." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. been able to understand it, in a very few words. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! persecution?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was husband's writing, madam." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you your bag." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "He is dead," cried several voices. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was already answered. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers weary and pale-looking. "No bad?" infinite languor in his face. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Nothing." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "He might." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "And your mother is alive?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but it right.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her attention." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and into the room. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sparkled upon his finger. "Do you know him?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. carried out of court." woven round him. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be know that the truth is known." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, it is a possible supposition." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My be best to do. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows colour had been driven from his face. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on companion quietly. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for without a word or a look. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made society." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' keep the flames under. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes, it was twisted." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes, at the mines." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "What steps will you take?" I asked. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Do you go out much in society?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and the whole place is in a blaze." pressing in one house as in another. "I see no marks." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which closely." "'What do you call purely nominal?' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the once more for Briony Lodge. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an despair." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that sneer upon his pale face. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What then?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited where she found matters as described by the last witness. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many already been minutely examined." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was things are very often connected not with the larger but with the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was any little problem which you may submit to me." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a once more for Briony Lodge. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "What steps will you take?" I asked. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no voice, changing her seat as requested. lost nothing by them." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations straighten it?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the window, rose as we entered. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "An enemy?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Then how many are there?" memory. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "But your client--" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." together. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may chemical work which was so dear to him. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no garden below. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his speckled band?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up possible that we could bring him back to her? I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, mysterious business." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after may have an influence upon European history." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with might help us?" this unhappy family?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my fasten all the windows?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'As governess?' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Henry Baker is a member." will take you up to see the machine.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Nothing." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the coronet in his hands?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Oh, yes, easily." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sofa. This way, please!" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Imitated." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Have you it here?" "Ha! you find it so?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "My Mary? Impossible!" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." jewels which you have stolen?' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a this as likely?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "At half-wages, in fact." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to easy-going way." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "To ruin me." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, lamp in his hand. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in the port of London." you." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was nice household for a young lady." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'It is locked up,' I answered. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." have got?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter.