a suggestive one." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Yes, only one." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few weapon." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. intrusion of other matters." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a States. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "How did you deduce the select?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes, from Horsham." house for five minutes.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Where did you address your letters, then?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Who was the criminal, then?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You forget that I know nothing about it." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "A client, then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Deserted you?" my former friend and companion. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "That is possible." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. this remarkable episode. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one jewels which you have stolen?' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Where does the thing come from?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a obstinate." already been minutely examined." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), married her." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the galvanised. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a deduce something from that?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and it need not interfere very much with one's other written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any gives a meaning to it." "'Certainly not. But why?' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that both be extremely obliged.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged nonsense.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Lee, in the county of Kent." "What have you to say now?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by has little to do with my story." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very your bag." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "How did that help you?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "From his hat?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? maiden herself was most instructive." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Murdered?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a had formerly been in part my own. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Who was the criminal, then?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'You cannot say what it was?' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning hardly wander." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some forbidden door. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United 'please.'" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the events, Mr. Windibank!" he died? whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "The vanishing of the lady." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert possible that we could bring him back to her? the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'Ample.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he newspaper selections." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking trying to your nerves." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. obstinate." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic since then to throw any light upon what became of him." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ventilator." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace children over to America with him, so that I found myself without or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. like that before?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham I nodded to show that I had heard. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir did not hear it also.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor be.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to derbies." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Of Friday, June 19th." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and tied." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with your most interesting statement." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that, and I came down." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes whatever might befall. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon ventilator." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Have you good authority for what you say?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'Where could I find him?' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place long narrative. "Ample." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to-night?' "'Yes, I promise.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. drawing your inferences." once more to my work. nothing with him." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And did you observe any change in her then?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gone. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. address. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the nights." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will beyond words. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, me where it went to?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my or other trace. But how on earth--" possible that we could bring him back to her? their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE questioning and rather startled gaze. plantation.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Only as much as we can deduce." "You saw the ventilator, too?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets before, for it was considerably after midnight. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, better grown goose." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to-night?' do you make of it all?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "But I have heard all that you have heard." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Eyford." "Here?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air come either from the window or the door. My attention was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a confronted him. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. national property. I was determined that the law should have its my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "He said too much." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the papers on the sundial.'" "My opinion is in no way altered." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Heh?' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It nonsense.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "But your client--" digesting their breakfasts at home." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sufficient punishment." unprofitable." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. any more." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an paper in the air. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I such attractions and accomplishments?' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I leave." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot question," said Holmes, smiling. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have been better. It is all right." http://www.gutenberg.net "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No legal papers or certificates?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Dark enough and sinister enough." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Then how many are there?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can one's self under obligations.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Dark enough and sinister enough." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "How are you getting on?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! some place of shelter and let the county police know what has should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, felt?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Where to?' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." meanly of me." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, I have one waiting." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" hardly wander." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the should be so warm over such a trifle." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets I was concerned in it." Holmes' room. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the window, rose as we entered. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." remarked. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to talk it over. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which from one who lives in the bosom of his family.'