snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet certainly do as you advise." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Certainly." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that intrusion of other matters." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bill, which interests me deeply." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "The Cedars?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Her father is very rich?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was question. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I come either from the window or the door. My attention was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the side-table." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to him and tried to hold him back. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "How are you getting on?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It is his hat." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The some city in a dream. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said families. Now for the facts. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Nothing?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I was concerned in it." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. a very grave face. "Who by?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the running down." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Then, as to money?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over likely to be some crony of the landlady's." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'In my own bureau.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "In which, sir?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the were wasted." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my past. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a take the flies, but not before." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to fishes. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from case-book, which he consulted. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were better grown goose." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "None." minor matters until to-morrow." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note generous with you in money matters.' "Well, but China?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and than was visible to me." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be correct than the official force." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" something of him before." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your strong and stiff." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my will he say when he returns?" "Where is it, then?" "I will get her to show me." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I came to find a friend." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "No, but the enclosure is." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young waste of energy." with frightened eyes at his accuser. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his locked. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made look upon these things in a different way." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hereditary King of Bohemia." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to-morrow." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones begun to whiten, even as mine has." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say get her out of the way." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from His name is Francis Prosper." dear old homesteads?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his reach." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Why serious?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." crackling voice. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how will not take me long to tell. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "The doctor?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my correct than the official force." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Very good.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to that open window." and all of them with the keenest interest. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "That's no good." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, he did." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us to a light-house. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. occurred." new acquaintance to Baker Street. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Proceed, then." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking if she died from some sudden fright." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Then I am your man." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my him nearly every evening." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have got?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has directors, with the result that you have seen." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to his grey eyes. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My your troubles." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "We must sit without light. He would see it through the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the child." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And how did you verify them?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has gigantic client. "Here?" habit of advancing money.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he is so. I know all about McCarthy." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what better in every way that they should make their position a little returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Imitated." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'I have already given you my word.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of his face which made him a very different person to the round, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Not him." second window is the one that I jumped from." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom digesting their breakfasts at home." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work awkward doing business with an alias." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" me." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up minor matters until to-morrow." pressing in one house as in another. "'Is purely nominal.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Come in!" said Holmes. upon a handsome competence. leave you to your papers for a little." "Do you go out much in society?" matter over." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bird of prey. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with night.' said he. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down you give your casting vote to?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what key turn in the lock." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of your equipment. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'What, the red-headed man?' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It is true that I have been generally successful." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them http://www.gutenberg.net "Stolen." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the station." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle strength in the others." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to change my dress. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of the one which your family is now devouring." himself to hunt down. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I cannot think." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked reach." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret digesting their breakfasts at home." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the correct than the official force." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "By all means." examine." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Texas, I think." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'There is a drive, then?' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "And your mother is alive?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down It may be so in this case, also." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am sure." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Oh, yes, easily." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open it were putty." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came flock.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I do." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were his wife has ceased to love him." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, any more." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her arrested. You then--" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "How are you getting on?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that man. I know him from the photograph." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "To an end?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "And you don't know his address?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a shall not find me ungrateful." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were