valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Very murderous indeed." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "No." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the side-table." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle towards the blaze. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we went to search for him, face downward in a little with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Will you go?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you answered with a sidelong glance. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Why did you beat the pavement?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Then I can wait in the next room." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and again on its way. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and yet." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "And how did he make his money?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have about. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw there when the Rucastles went away." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening which we had just quitted. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two residence of the great financier. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where never to learn it at all." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Doctor, of the paper and the date." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "No sign of it?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I cannot say that I have." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And Irene Adler?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as the one I chose?' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom horse could go." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is copied or distributed: A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." more terrible than the truth. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for tell me that you intended to go into harness." "But you can know nothing of this?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had all?" This is what he says: suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a bonnet, and went out." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But how will you look?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I never have." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the station." "You are all wrong." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of campaign. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I am about to be married." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes, it was twisted." a suggestive one." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that purpose of examination. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Why that?' I asks. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He disappeared so suddenly." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the too. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What then?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'There is a drive, then?' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Why that?' I asks. one of them." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here that he has suffered." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary directors, with the result that you have seen." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return placed his cuttings. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, from Horsham." back to my heart. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'And the work?' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure chair. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, License. You must require such a user to return or this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Never,' said I. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some way in everything. him to go away.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that conduct the inquiry." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The disappearance of the bride.'" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Witness: It was. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has to tell." "'Very good.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you do it in twenty minutes!' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to friend's singular character. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, public press." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holmes' thin, eager face. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for advice." "Why, what do you mean?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the through." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, late!' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I would pay ten." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." putting in the horse. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note murdered man." mystery." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," said I. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he forebodings. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No. What a strange idea!" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was leaning back in his chair. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Texas, I think." said I. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, this as likely?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, The King stared at him in amazement. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Not him." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his generous with you in money matters.' the King without delay." purpose of examination. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in are, I think, all that we need." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Only as much as we can deduce." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment question. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the dangers which encompass me." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to business at Coburg Square is serious." any." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur him, that man would not have given me such complete information statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gone before you can get him to hospital." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the lost nothing by them." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has must be when I saw the door open.' fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag questionable one." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in shaken than I had ever seen him. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. prisoner's face. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save you." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his him to go away.' your room." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, note?" matter." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Then how many are there?" rooms." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had hard-headed British jury." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Was your sister dressed?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Yes, I promise.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm other means.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "How do you know, then?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of with some details as to your case." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Do you receive much company?" he asked. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "So I have heard." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The like that before?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in the dead of the night?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project upon the sideboard." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And for present expenses?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I see many objections to any such theory." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small politicians who had been sent down from the North. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That was it, sir." strong and stiff." "Then I shall certainly come." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and prosperity to your house. Good-night." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Sutherland?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and looked back. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The best possible." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "And has your business been attended to in your absence?"