"This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then it." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left off." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding it with his own hands." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." enough to aid us in our search." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE writer." do.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'I have heard so.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." jewels which you have stolen?' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Not particularly." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap second." "None." bonnet, and went out." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" fluttered off among the others. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Did you observe the colour?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "No, but the enclosure is." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed these bleak autumnal evenings." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Now, then, what's the last entry?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Never.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It is true that I have been generally successful." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But the mystery?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, status with the IRS. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You think that he is dead?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the leave you to your papers for a little." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Ample." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if crackling voice. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." been deceived." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I have my revolver," said I. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had note?" very old mansion. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. narrative." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And what then?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "The doctor?" your co-operation." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But he might be a bachelor." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And that is--" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur call for it in person on Monday morning.' enter Dr. Roylott's room." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide all?" Literary Archive Foundation gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Entirely." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't investigation." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Certainly." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Here?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "That was it, sir." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of the vacancies.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And how did he make his money?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and you in your example." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a notes," he said. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "What can it mean?" I gasped. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the coronet in his hands?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I think that I had better go, Holmes." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that For additional contact information: given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Never." here and I will read it to you: "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to what I may call a really hard day's work." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Does that suggest anything?" the very morning of the wedding." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of Fenchurch Street." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a good hundred miles off by now." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as I am not easy in my mind about them." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was shining brightly. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I would give my fortune to have them back." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Certainly." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down at a side door. "Very. But will he see it?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." him!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Yes, all." train.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. delirious. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It's nothing of the kind." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the Assizes." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it presented which may be striking and bizarre without being assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "And that is--" politicians who had been sent down from the North. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while how narrow had been my escape. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts wedding?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "But I have heard all that you have heard." again." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the devil!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with before, for it was considerably after midnight. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a must be when I saw the door open.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 details should find their way into the papers. Inspector might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Pray continue your narrative." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes humiliation." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded miles off. was keenly on my guard against him. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed power." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to change my dress. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out yards of it?' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But how?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter me. You must get home instantly and act." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at allusion to a rat. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to before the coroner and the police-court." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me think, you have already met." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "And how did you find out?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped grasp, he hurried from the room. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." you give your casting vote to?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And when will you call?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope conclusions. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. so.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Yes, that is the Crown." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland not as remarkable as your advertisement." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak go--none." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a his knees, staring into the fire. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. arrangements." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is gone. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of until night should bring an explanation. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And the murderer?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man himself to tell his story. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the loss of it. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to amused." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up will he say when he returns?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I say it is." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." in. be best to do. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a monotonous occupation." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Again Holmes raved in the air. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Indeed! Whose, then?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under clang of the bell. newspaper selections." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the it." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to take care of herself." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see one's self under obligations.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one row." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage tapping his fingers upon the table. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have