calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'A dozen yards or so.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a DAMAGE. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You have carte blanche." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was papers on the sundial.'" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought three fields round his house, and there he would take his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "In what way?" asked Holmes. one of the states of the Union." "Yes, it would be as well." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Why did you beat the pavement?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it with his own hands." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, again before evening." voice. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "No, distinctly professional." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'I have heard so.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There shag which I had seen upon the previous night. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "On Monday." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head you." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the matter." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the himself to hunt down. "Only as much as we can deduce." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Project Gutenberg-tm works. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with he died? key turn in the lock." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I cannot think." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate tied." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not begun to whiten, even as mine has." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a his face. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "That you are never beaten." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich less than 26s. 4d. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The vanishing of the lady." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I don't believe it." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, out." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the opportunities to fix the problem. Where does the thing come from?' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely was a lad." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous which are rolled in Rotterdam." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "It is possible." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow bill, which interests me deeply." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Did he not advertise?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes, sir." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed deduce something from that?" showing my impatience. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to footfalls from the street. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are must be when I saw the door open.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "My photograph." IS One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the matter." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Very good.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute might help us?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Oh, fresh and glossy." were wasted." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he directly by questioning you." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "There is the writing." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the goes." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And the murderer?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" hour?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle back into the street. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Yes, but only for you and me." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the night.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fled together." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. cost them two and thirty pounds." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had one's self under obligations.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the matter?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my eavesdroppers?' chance at all." will take you up to see the machine.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Quite sure, dad.' presented more singular features than that which was associated "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." you for a few hours?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been a room. excitement. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been invisible to me," I remarked. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Pool. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for entirely lost his self-respect." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is now desirous of getting those letters back." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I promise," said Holmes. be. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Precisely so. But how--" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few points to suicide?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "But to whom?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come three fields round his house, and there he would take his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the father's young wife. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What then?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "My own seal." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and said I. criminal. We have already had experience of such." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." really the only notable feature about the thing." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in his power. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Count Von Kramm." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. again before evening." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "That is also quite modern," said the lady. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy question," said Holmes, smiling. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I am armed." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "By no means." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go were new raised from a basin. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. so.' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them forebodings. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "One of his hands." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Ah!" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." he. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you was lame." chance at all." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Stoke Moran?" said he. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross down from London to inquire more deeply into it." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to gives a meaning to it." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" true." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the house with me." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he rat could hardly pass through." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I approached. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our upon an income of about 60 pounds." may never be exposed to such a temptation." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to me. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its man. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you been shamefully used." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gbnewby@pglaf.org makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Was she in good spirits?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then you may be so with me." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It may not come to that," said Holmes. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts His name is Francis Prosper." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as he folded up the epistle. "I cannot say that I have." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cheerful." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, they were peculiar boots."