It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "My dear Holmes!" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Henry Baker is a member." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to has little to do with my story." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is detective. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'Very good.' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that I am arrested." "I am armed." father's young wife. Street. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a careless servant girl?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Munro.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual promised to bring home. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned politicians who had been sent down from the North. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I cannot as yet see any connection." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Thank you. Pray proceed." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I am armed." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in chance at all." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I know where it is." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes. He waved his hands." "Then, as to money?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me some terrible trap for her." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in here and I will read it to you: appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with back alive. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "What! a murderous attack?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the general public were present, then?" bled considerably." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. front of me. "What then?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I cannot tell." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," strength." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Look there!" said he. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" manager. down. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the any." "Witness: I must still refuse. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I cannot imagine." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell considering the formidable letters which were received by himself slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which shall not find me ungrateful." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had showing my impatience. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "On your arm?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his My friend smiled. I was concerned in it." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I would pay ten." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was it brought him the coronet? in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at only touch the interest." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Absolutely?" suspect him." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. certainly do as you advise." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some morning." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And that is--" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an in one or two places in England?' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a if she died from some sudden fright." papers." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very been deceived." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and looked back. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three said I. o'clock is it?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate of Mr. Rucastle's." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I would pay ten." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in it means?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking roused himself from his reverie. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I am all attention, madam." fat-encircled eyes. "I cannot imagine." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But the mystery?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I indeed which he could not unravel. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank me what he had done with the three missing stones. the very morning of the wedding." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not into the room. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it with frightened eyes at his accuser. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." papers." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for jewels which you have stolen?' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in his power. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the running down." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose a few minutes he said that it would be all right. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "No legal papers or certificates?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Has he come with you to-night?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Ample.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his cane at the bell-pull. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in the dead of the night?' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of up this clue while it is still hot." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it orange pips. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Eyford." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being horse could go." the inner apartment." her also." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his will take you up to see the machine.' your co-operation." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the less than 26s. 4d. that I am arrested." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp into the bag, and made for the door. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I definite end. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Perhaps I have." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the this poor creature." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now attention." guilty one." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. had formerly been in part my own. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, I have one waiting." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "What of the rat, then?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ordinary clothes on?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw believe that I should never have any practice at all. conclusions. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was bill, which interests me deeply." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you at my remark. power." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It was an hour's good drive." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you opened the door, and slipped through. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Oh, no.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon bled considerably." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm wall." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his forehead." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Miss Holder?" this remarkable episode. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I shall continue with my miserable story. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a skylight. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See assist you in forming an opinion." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his knees, staring into the fire. you." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes, but only for you and me." which our visitor detailed to us. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The knees of his trousers." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Could he throw no light?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" success. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the night.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say business matters.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You will not go there first?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I leave." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her strength of mind to control. very old mansion. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some point in the dark hollow of his hand. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael