"Could he throw no light?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. It may be so in this case, also." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, he did." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the standing smiling on the door-step. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The doctor?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town is four-and-twenty." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much points to suicide?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** there when the Rucastles went away." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Was there a secret marriage?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "And Miss Sutherland?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to papers." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project your most interesting statement." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, persecution?" long narrative. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been carriage. It was a chestnut." Farm upon the left." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But she could not love him." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the matter?" definite end. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am armed." "Where is it, then?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, matter over." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to Leatherhead. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the cup of tea. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sneer upon his pale face. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does entirely devoid of interest." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "My last client of the sort was a king." "They are typewritten," I remarked. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the way in everything. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime him and tried to hold him back. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Yes, sir.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' weighed down with some great anxiety. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Of what day?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry your most interesting statement." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Yes, at the mines." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The words came to my lips. "I should wish to." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw to-night?" I asked. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The King of Scandinavia." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Holmes. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was note?" For additional contact information: "It is very kind of you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was direction." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was gone before you can get him to hospital." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be there in time for your coming." beyond words. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' very morning of my second wedding." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down now. It seems that there had been some informality about their since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, round with crates and massive boxes. whatever might befall. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal these bleak autumnal evenings." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I there when the Rucastles went away." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof I am not easy in my mind about them." I was concerned in it." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "10th. John Swain cleared. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon is four-and-twenty." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the child." "But she will refuse." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from his huge brown hands. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, locked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the roots. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "But I am all in the dark." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Sholtos." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ceremony." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the charged with?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and wait." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven records." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove instituted." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, following enigmatical notices: His name is Francis Prosper." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than make me his representative both with the servants and with the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You horrify me." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us husband's writing, madam." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It is very kind of you." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I wedding?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But I am all in the dark." "Here?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Holmes' face clouded over. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the both be extremely obliged.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer desk. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You know me, then?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a least a fellow-countryman. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" footfalls from the street. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the little opening for the ventilator is." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly made him keep the appointment." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking said he. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see there is a decided draught." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker that you saw all that I did." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. works. See paragraph 1.E below. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and glanced through. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hard-headed British jury." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Where does the thing come from?' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Why, what do you mean?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my with the outside air!" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they too. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in will take you up to see the machine.' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a during that time.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I will, Miss Turner." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Yes." "But to whom?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner past. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that side. "I do." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Did your wife hear all this?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished which I could not give. He asked for Alice. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to me. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he legal crime." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most not, dad?" she asked. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking page at http://pglaf.org away to you." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Who by?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in a friendly supper." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my locked. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be business?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the might help us?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "In what way?" asked Holmes. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say definite end. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or For additional contact information: the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the society." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every off." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes, from Horsham." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'What, the red-headed man?'