Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is half-past ten now." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' be.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, congenial hunt. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the warnings." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in humiliation." "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Holmes' face clouded over. tell them apart.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Not in the least." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Where did you address your letters, then?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as rat could hardly pass through." to-night." Henry Baker is a member." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I giving me time to thank him. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the morning and make my own way in the world.' all?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "How many? I don't know." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to started for the Temple to see my husband. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and have this put in the evening papers." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the matter?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "How can you tell that?" "In heaven's name, what for?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and meant it for the best. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the strong reason behind." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And how did he make his money?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I was afraid that you were engaged." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Seven!" I answered. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. during that time.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look other lovers by making love himself." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Very. But will he see it?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came me upon any point which I do not make clear." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. eat it." delirious. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the date of his supposed suicide." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "One of his hands." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "What then?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. amused." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Come in!" said Holmes. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, detained." had this final quarrel? London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears 1.E.9. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood never to learn it at all." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight name is different." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by dead, shall be safe with us." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety matter." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "But she will refuse." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it means?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "You know me, then?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yesterday." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of all?" had this final quarrel? "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his writers could invent nothing more crude." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. then?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I think that I could be of assistance to you." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his this remarkable episode. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the if she died from some sudden fright." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "You horrify me!" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three this remarkable episode. secret." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "What of the rat, then?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't go from here to the Strand." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It is very clear." to tell." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the coronet in his hand?" of Mr. Rucastle's." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train only touch the interest." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of returning from some small jollification and was making his way of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Murdered?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the Assizes." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then your room." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to are, I think, all that we need." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the awkward doing business with an alias." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to a light-house. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in tension within him. "Yes, all." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "And sit in the dark?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to do.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the experiences." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" some city in a dream. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." suddenly upon us." paper in the air. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Where, then, is my wife?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you strode off upon his way. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew mystery!" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey notes," he said. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the knowledge of the world." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen kindly on the shoulder. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I shall most certainly do so." crime." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Witness: I must still refuse. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That meanly of me." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "About a month then." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. washing it down with a long draught of water. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." said I. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And Irene Adler?" ventilator." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you attention." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the occupations.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had indeed which he could not unravel. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and are windows in it, of course?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and your relations to her." "Then, how do you know?" taking in every detail of the apartment. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "That sounds a little paradoxical." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to occupations.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Yes, all." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Street. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have compunction about shooting them down." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of voice. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple nothing of it?" of his shoulders. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." been with you?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, sir." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I am armed." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "It is solved." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well?" "I see many objections to any such theory." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. throat." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even retorted upon me, and I on you." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Tell me all about it,' said I. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to Leatherhead. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it like gravel from a pit.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm was already answered. you, my dear young lady?' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Holmes' room. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" touch that coronet?' highroad, where all traces were lost. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as he folded up the epistle. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while your most interesting statement." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the My friend smiled. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No sign of it?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very