without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence rooms." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there miles off. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Have you it here?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Heh?' "And why in hopes?" "And leave your case unfinished?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Dark enough and sinister enough." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sit on the left-hand side of the driver." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Come in!" said Holmes. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No, I think that I'll take it." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to heavily into it. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever photograph a cabinet?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in your London, you will know that the office of the company is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means and your relations to her." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. breakfast?" "How are you getting on?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this not come at once?" ceremony." one else, I think." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to records." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Yes." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may *** START: FULL LICENSE *** low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But not more so than I to find you." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and answered with a sidelong glance. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the key of the affair now." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "May I see it?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I nodded again. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had call it cruel." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice present." notes," he said. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Most admirably.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Then what has happened to him?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to any little problem which you may submit to me." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the nursery. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It looks newer than the other things?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the very old mansion. man. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sufficient punishment." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. undoubtedly my uncle's." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in your equipment. in. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and go back?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who searched, without anything being found which could incriminate The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. new acquaintance to Baker Street. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might suspect him." just ask you whether you had heard it.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "What of the rat, then?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But how?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "But I am all in the dark." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a seen the man in the road." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Dr. Becher's." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid which I could not give. He asked for Alice. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, with some details as to your case." very old mansion. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "The vanishing of the lady." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Eh? What was that?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Yes, sir.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes." words came to my lips. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the straighten it?" business at Coburg Square is serious." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, know what is wrong with it.' there when the Rucastles went away." "And how?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The knees of his trousers." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." chance." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and page at http://pglaf.org I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past disappearance of these gems?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Sholtos." "You have a clue?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Of Friday, June 19th." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "When did she vanish, then?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now is acting for the best. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But of what society?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began man. I know him from the photograph." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt new duties?' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Did you observe the colour?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for that were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Do you know him?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "My stepfather's business papers." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken drove away. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I should wish to." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some think that any burglar could have done. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same she has been waylaid. There has been no result." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his do." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I shall continue with my miserable story. fatally injured? "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But what harm can there be in that?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "How did he come?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had highly," said Holmes. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Then, how do you know?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in recover the gem." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss fled together." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I am armed." late." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the inner apartment." recover the gem." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "They are typewritten," I remarked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun experiences." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your place of silver." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you in your example." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" figure." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "An enemy?" advice." place no limit on the sum I may draw." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I cannot imagine." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "You have compromised yourself seriously." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "In San Francisco, a year ago." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as door?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had manager. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." my special province." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the very morning of the wedding." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You did not overhear what they said?" weapon." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "What then?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Where, then, is my wife?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But to whom?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I enough to aid us in our search." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and capable of preserving a secret.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You horrify me!" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 grasp, he hurried from the room. His smile broadened. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And what did you see?" Holmes. there is a decided draught." "Entirely." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be desk. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was feeling which was the fattest.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the have had none more fantastic than this." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the secret." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as assist you in forming an opinion." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ways of our fellow-men." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "It is true that I have been generally successful." "The Coroner: What do you mean? smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Stoke Moran?" said he. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I beg pardon." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And how?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the lectures into a series of tales." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our