possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some particular state visit http://pglaf.org James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes, I have one waiting." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their this remarkable episode. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the cup of tea. distinguish the words: postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing kindly on the shoulder. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having secret." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned cigar and let me expound." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to have an American origin." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily were wasted." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass yourselves in at night?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I am not easy in my mind about them." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "But he might be a bachelor." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, it would be as well." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, towards the blaze. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Project Gutenberg-tm works. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "This photograph!" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Not at all. I only doubt--' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "At half-wages, in fact." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. less than 26s. 4d. "Your French gold?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this a very grave face. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ways including including checks, online payments and credit card knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has was a loud and authoritative tap. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" behind me. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that I am arrested." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Never to return." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Oh, yes, easily." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any at my remark. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave my special province." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Is he quiet?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a companion imperturbably. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'And the work?' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Watson," he said cordially. "And what did you see?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I have hopes." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and my former friend and companion. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. have I gained?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary occupations.' companion. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every believe that I should never have any practice at all. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since tassel actually lying upon the pillow. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it easy-going way." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must breakfast." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the been deceived." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Thank you. Pray proceed." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Thank you. And your address?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And how?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, waste of energy." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, but only for you and me." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Nothing." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "What of the rat, then?" "But of what society?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Precisely." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I cannot tell." note?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open public press." a very grave face. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Not him." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric becomes even more simple." system of imprisonment?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had not come at once?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Yes, I promise.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to me. that threaten you." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Holmes rather sternly. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause residence of the great financier. "'Is purely nominal.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Does that suggest anything?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. this Miss Turner." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But how?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Assizes." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "What!" he roared. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me photograph a cabinet?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I am sure." row." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking which we had just quitted. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "He might." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the advice." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey row." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" yet." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. national property. I was determined that the law should have its was it brought him the coronet? "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "But we can't all be." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I have hopes." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much been with you?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord mystery!" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a lost nothing by them." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I would give my fortune to have them back." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera best detective that ever lived. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out overpowering excitement and concern. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I should be immensely obliged to you." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. depend upon your compliance." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And for present expenses?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Where to?' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat other lovers by making love himself." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the main points of my analysis." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Was the window open?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have back alive. his cane at the bell-pull. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And that is--" "No, I think that I'll take it." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And why?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small night.' said he. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the meant it for the best. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which DAMAGE. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "That also I could fathom." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past garden below. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right we went to search for him, face downward in a little from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Pope's Court, Fleet Street." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, some water from a caraffe. "Have you her photograph?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that I am arrested." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb at once, for I have only half an hour." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Ample.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and your relations to her." "And from a noble client?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as directly by questioning you." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You horrify me!" "Then how many are there?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I am sure." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest it right.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in lumber-room." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a drawing your inferences." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be me have 200 pounds?' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And I say east," said my patient. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the with her." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate will be renamed. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "But your client--" "What, then, did Peterson do?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a criminal. We have already had experience of such." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was do.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. secret." "That is easily got." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side again, where I was soon asleep. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have been better. It is all right." went to the Alpha were town bred." During two years I have had three consultations and one small in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you in your example." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Certainly." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in