low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy o'clock is it?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "That is possible." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Thank you. And your address?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" depend upon my doing so.' sake, don't!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I have hopes." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has take the flies, but not before." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that three of the beryls in it, was missing. note?" McCarthy's innocence. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." morning." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See nothing of it?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of Fenchurch Street." which we had just quitted. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "He said too much." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "What shall I do?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. whether it answered to the description of any of their peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "To ruin me." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "But how did you gain them?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and capable of preserving a secret.' have accepted such a situation. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "He said too much." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "At half-wages, in fact." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "This photograph!" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern into the bag, and made for the door. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of Fenchurch Street." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian had this final quarrel? "And how did you find out?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Oh, no.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who notes," he said. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I cannot tell." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they purpose of examination. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more business came to an end." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Literary Archive Foundation separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." when your master had gone out." wedding?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and your relations to her." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Certainly,' I answered. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the house with me." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Dirty?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been never will be, entirely cleared up. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I think that it is very probable." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than speckled band?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but like gravel from a pit.' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my whatever might befall. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Most admirably.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the date of his supposed suicide." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" them?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too death." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have established a very serious case against the son of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "She will not sell." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I approached. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The Coroner: What do you mean? "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of this gang." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Ah!" lost his Christmas dinner." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the running down." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Why serious?" "My last client of the sort was a king." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Deserted you?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hands. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "A greater distance to travel." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "None." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the armchair which I pushed forward for him. morning." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive business matters.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Holmes, the busybody!" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must excitement. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked been." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to tackle the facts." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil young Openshaw's." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You have it, sir, just as it happened." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "That is unusual in a young girl." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "You have carte blanche." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the main points of my analysis." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So upon the shelf for the interim." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." not fit the lock." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements confronted him. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass dates and names. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, happened." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Then what has happened to him?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Precisely so. But how--" "Pray do so." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately should be taken.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." out of this horrible affair." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fait accompli?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly where she found matters as described by the last witness. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And for present expenses?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the kind enough to tell me what I should do." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but is a common subject for conversation. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Always." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The rest you will leave in our hands." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my once more. "'Most admirably.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to fashion which was peculiar to him. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as yours." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing into the bag, and made for the door. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to despair." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An purpose of examination. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn impression behind it as though a window had gently closed station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Heh?' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I sake, don't!" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to tell." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The landlord of the Alpha." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of it with the greatest attention. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle see a sister of mine apply for." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Only as much as we can deduce." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "But you have hopes?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the coroner come to?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination bare slabs of marble. British peeress.'" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a of campaign. that threaten you." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And how?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his nothing with him." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth front of me. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and enough to aid us in our search." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the all?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot what is your own theory as to what took place?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' License. You must require such a user to return or your Highness to the police-station?" be.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "We must have a cab." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. during that time.' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself