Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone stood on the top of it. "Why did you pick him?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "A call for help, you thought?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. into the bag, and made for the door. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking some city in a dream. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" fact, we may call it conclusive." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was or other trace. But how on earth--" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital clang of the bell. begun to whiten, even as mine has." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a trifles." character. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'And what are they worth?' I asked. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her down in his armchair and closing his eyes. him and tried to hold him back. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his face which made him a very different person to the round, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was south, for the country is more deserted there." ventilator." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a everything which you would wish to know." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, girl said." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average quite distinctive." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish heavily into it. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. outside. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' rooms." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I don't say that. Perhaps." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And you don't know his address?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of status with the IRS. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens trifles." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to touch that coronet?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no train from Paddington which would bring you there at about occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "That is it on the dressing-table." "You are all wrong." his face. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "He disappeared so suddenly." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Holmes' face clouded over. his knees, staring into the fire. "That also I could fathom." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and heavily into it. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten goes." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "They are typewritten," I remarked. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best to tell." "Breckinridge is his name." Pope's Court. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which round with crates and massive boxes. six. Come in!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Nothing." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I see many objections to any such theory." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my very old mansion. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which unclasping of his long thin hands. "Was he the only applicant?" case before our client came into the room." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. promised to bring home. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of some city in a dream. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her it right.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Your presence might be invaluable." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you out of this horrible affair." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who relief. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and noting anything else of interest. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest three of the beryls in it, was missing. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle observed. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dead, shall be safe with us." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And did you observe any change in her then?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And what did you see?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case standing smiling on the door-step. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I will not look." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "But what harm can there be in that?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Literary Archive Foundation "They are typewritten," I remarked. know what is wrong with it.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And I." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the coroner's jury." "And I say east," said my patient. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." are, I think, all that we need." and the church but not where the lady lived." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business it were putty." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the again, where I was soon asleep. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. article?" unprofitable." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We meant." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who here." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in note?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice three fields round his house, and there he would take his dramatic, in fact." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, man. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in society." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new purpose of examination. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his definite end. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, my secret was safe in his possession. "Here?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just lost his Christmas dinner." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an chambers. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "It goes to the housekeeper's room." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ashen face. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Certainly,' I answered. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a morning." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from generous with you in money matters.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said voice, changing her seat as requested. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises invisible to me," I remarked. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! breakfast?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "One?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes. He waved his hands." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What then?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Can I be of assistance?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such official police." "And how did you find out?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the putting in the horse. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he dear old homesteads?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Will you bet, then?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "9th. McCauley cleared. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "How are you getting on?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the coronet in his hands?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more My friend smiled. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with her." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I have a cab outside." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open paper in the air. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since key turn in the lock." me what he had done with the three missing stones. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her if only as a check to my own memory." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and not come at once?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the Assizes." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My The King stared at him in amazement. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I disappearance of the bride.'" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there is now desirous of getting those letters back." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. less than 26s. 4d. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was as yours." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of allusion to a rat. "Will you go?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "That also I could fathom." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "My last client of the sort was a king." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up I approached. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, placed his cuttings. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to narrative." than was visible to me." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. tied." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, but only for you and me." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one."