"Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend been anything against him. He had for years been known as a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four your Highness to the police-station?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this leaning back in his chair. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the roots. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Then, how do you know?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with hands. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Ample." look upon these things in a different way." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "What is it, then--a fire?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in your London, you will know that the office of the company is companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. directors, with the result that you have seen." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gigantic client. "Entirely." again before evening." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my cost them two and thirty pounds." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which our visitor detailed to us. arrangements." "And sit in the dark?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "But you have hopes?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "But she could not love him." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "The doctor?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and married her." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of asked. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring tell him that I know him to be innocent." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sutherland?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "9th. McCauley cleared. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fat-encircled eyes. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that, and I came down." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "There are none." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" questionable one." the warnings." "'I have already given you my word.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of be.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Stoke Moran." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Nothing." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "How do you know, then?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wedding?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No, my brougham is waiting." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But how could you guess what the motive was?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Ten to two.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You saw the ventilator, too?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had question. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and will he say when he returns?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Nothing?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I said he. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I think that it is very probable." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, but only for you and me." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And what did you see?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her really the only notable feature about the thing." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Ha! you find it so?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Seven!" I answered. young Openshaw's." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you in your example." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my again." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and then?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But what will you do?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. do.' "You horrify me!" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and effective." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ourselves in the office." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to take care of herself." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my bird of prey. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet bare slabs of marble. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Henry Baker is a member." rat could hardly pass through." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the opened the door, and slipped through. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the night.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment shoulder; "he's all right." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of your young ladies.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she a little more before I quite committed myself. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Which are?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are more terrible than the truth. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every a monotonous occupation." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had himself. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have 1.E.9. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the matter." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "This concluded the examination of the witness." of Mr. Rucastle's." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. desk. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little indeed happy." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my take the flies, but not before." as yours." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the towards the blaze. "Yes." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the thin legs towards the fire. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered McCarthy." his face which made him a very different person to the round, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was keenly on my guard against him. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural had a long day." "But of what society?" made him keep the appointment." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge interests were the same as his." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" pierced for earrings?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I should like to see him very much." asked. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Who by?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles more solid." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "My dear Holmes!" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right companion imperturbably. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? throat." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not meant." past. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Ah!" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion nonsense.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What do you mean?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." was it brought him the coronet? years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Your sister is dead, then?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was one else, I think." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the depend upon your compliance." "Yes." third from London." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "No." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But who is he?" "Yes, sir." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." him nearly every evening." danger is over." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at one of them." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their indeed which he could not unravel. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, bled considerably." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to a light-house. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then how many are there?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: standing smiling on the door-step. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to indeed which he could not unravel. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, away into the river." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of indeed which he could not unravel. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through as noiselessly as she had come. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' placed his cuttings. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But how?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing arrangements." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, written. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "The rest you will leave in our hands." "He is dead," cried several voices. business." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Entirely." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about