offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Stoke Moran?" said he. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is not as remarkable as your advertisement." them?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's go--none." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: I nodded to show that I had heard. "No, my brougham is waiting." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from waste of energy." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." arrested. You then--" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the like that before?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Whose house is it?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would narrative." your equipment. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is possible." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness him to go away.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really business at Coburg Square is serious." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would present." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Dirty?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "The best possible." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. ashen face. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as experiences." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid approach us with offers to donate. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Yes." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Perfectly so." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'And what salary do you ask?' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest photograph?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I will, Miss Turner." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fait accompli?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Never." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I shall communicate with you." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" happened." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "She told me to ask you." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting The events in question occurred in the early days of my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I during which he might have communicated with his friend the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Certainly not.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what back into the street. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a she used." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a window when the police appeared." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote have I gained?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a respectable self." "And how did you verify them?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Then he might have called to you?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Where did he live, then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed suspect him." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Holmes' face clouded over. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." read it out to me." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we if only as a check to my own memory." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "ARAT," I read. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in a very precise fashion." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. outsides of the windows. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Count Von Kramm." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fait accompli?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do voice, changing her seat as requested. the Assizes." "I have seen the police." "A client, then?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "How can you tell that?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 III. look dissatisfied." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been nonsense.' "None. Neville wrote those words." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which down from London to inquire more deeply into it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Quite sure, dad.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "A call for help, you thought?" said he. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "A greater distance to travel." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he strength in the others." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "But of what society?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At so far?" himself to tell his story. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray do so." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. second window is the one that I jumped from." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "It looks newer than the other things?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did opened the door, and slipped through. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for a monotonous occupation." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular soul! here is her carriage at the door." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which peculiar to him. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under think you a quite exceptional woman." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his round with crates and massive boxes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "ARAT," I read. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth distinguish the words: or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the article?" of them has the shutters up.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Miss Holder?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Cross for the Continent." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I see many objections to any such theory." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of campaign. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "About a month then." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "But I am all in the dark." then?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows me. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and effective." unkempt, staring out at me. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" your billet.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." details." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question him." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the passage and a tap at the door. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He yourselves in at night?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Yes, the wine-cellar." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my is a common subject for conversation. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that than to us. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Not yet." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my directors, with the result that you have seen." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Seven!" I answered. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and maiden herself was most instructive." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my signal between you and your father? "Nearly eleven." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Never to return." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, upon the shelf for the interim." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and the church but not where the lady lived." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I am all attention, madam." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He himself in a perplexing position. promised to bring home. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in my life." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The King of Scandinavia." "And Miss Sutherland?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Yes." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and glanced through. easy-going way." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said six. Come in!" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me outsides of the windows. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that he has suffered." "Proceed, then." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this congratulate you again." colonel looking down at me. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Absolutely none." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was tied." over part of the map. "What do you read?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a