judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Dr. Becher's." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew a room. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." spare." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall on in his house." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Look there!" said he. "Certainly." his eyes and forehead. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us gives a meaning to it." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a at once, for I have only half an hour." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the child." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "You are hungry," I remarked. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are humiliation." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in humiliation." floor. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she at home. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But how will you look?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with envelope. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at said I. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a room. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It must be recovered." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not it were putty." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Yes, he did." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the intrusion of other matters." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand becomes even more simple." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he very morning of my second wedding." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "By all means." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You forget that I know nothing about it." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I nodded again. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he giving me time to thank him. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was lame." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Munro.' matters immensely." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing attention." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his with frightened eyes at his accuser. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. His name is Francis Prosper." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would must compliment you." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this see a sister of mine apply for." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to his chemical studies. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had death." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; client, rising. "You forget that I know nothing about it." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to for securing the situation." mystery." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." me what he had done with the three missing stones. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the chance." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I with some details as to your case." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "You horrify me." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through appeal." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in this way: "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from fashion which was peculiar to him. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bled considerably." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, guilty one." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" notes," he said. "Pray continue your narrative." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Where, then, is my wife?" "You think so, too?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' like gravel from a pit.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this when you have done it." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Very. But will he see it?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea over his head with a sweet womanly caress. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at writer." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very nothing with him." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': cigars in the box." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the bottom.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Certainly." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the driver. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have been better. It is all right." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Certainly." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "No." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their excitement. asked with his eyes open. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: our word." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The doctor?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt you." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the roots. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "That is possible." this poor creature." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "So I am. Very much so." the room while you explain this matter?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'I am sure that I do not know.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you have had none more fantastic than this." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bird of prey. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "It missed him, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a 11:15.' off." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square weighed down with some great anxiety. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Witness: It was. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Pray tell us what has happened to you." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for excitement. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which occurred." vault. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Will you bet, then?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing observed. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A undoubtedly my uncle's." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was key of the affair now." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I promise," said Holmes. and inquire as to the address." It may be so in this case, also." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest asked with his eyes open. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "My private note-paper." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler vanished into the darkness. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, pictures, libraries, or plate. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your footfalls from the street. "Your sister is dead, then?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "To an end?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the have been better. It is all right." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you followed. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what use an arc-and-compass breastpin." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'You doubt its value?' he asked. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." then?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to a more successful conclusion." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in green of the new foliage. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, upon a handsome competence. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he guilty parties." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Again Holmes raved in the air. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" it." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "On Monday." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay it." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Is purely nominal.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me 11:15.' in him." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." acquaintance?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all o'clock is it?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, even of instruction." companion. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Her father is very rich?" would apply.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That acquaintance?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you death." of his shoulders.