possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in feature." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ceremony." "We must have a cab." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of you for a few hours?" "In the cells." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Doctor, of the paper and the date." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the stones. fire. You quite follow me?" most interesting one." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Very good.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'Where could I find him?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and acted in my house last night?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the very morning of the wedding." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "My Mary? Impossible!" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with you?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "The best possible." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Precisely so. But how--" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "What is it?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same never will be, entirely cleared up. was lame." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips entirely lost his self-respect." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his second window is the one that I jumped from." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What have you to say now?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated later, upon the night of May 2nd." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Your French gold?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sound at heart." public press." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." States. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very not personally threatened." "Whose house is it?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But what is it you wish?" married her." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we This is what he says: course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Ah, but I was recommended to you." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done province." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It is half-past ten now." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, you came in." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." bears upon the case?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Witness: Nothing definite. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took hour." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Foundation places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Nothing." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and capable of preserving a secret.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "This photograph!" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I have my revolver," said I. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which tied." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Come in!" said he. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in tied." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "By no means." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It is true that I have been generally successful." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of least a fellow-countryman. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage III. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "No." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to miss it." individual and becomes the badge of a society." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I was afraid that you were engaged." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It missed him, then?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I am still in the dark." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not she used." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the some city in a dream. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the it." "No." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by politicians who had been sent down from the North. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down or other trace. But how on earth--" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Henry Baker is a member." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Witness: Nothing definite. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the tragedy. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes, I have one waiting." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "No bad?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I have hopes." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "If I can be of use." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered without a word or a look. four million human beings all jostling each other within the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Certainly." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Clair, of Lee." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite geese which you supplied to the Alpha." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. intrusion of other matters." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose upon the white wrist. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the take the flies, but not before." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a in the dead of the night?' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police respectable self." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a washing it down with a long draught of water. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were 'please.'" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be of it with the greatest attention. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pierced for earrings?" which our visitor detailed to us. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the meanly of me." for the market.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in darkness. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, writing, and yet I know it well." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to train.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes meant." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You are all wrong." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that DAMAGE. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a page at http://pglaf.org hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of in the port of London." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and noting anything else of interest. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Look there!" said he. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress writers could invent nothing more crude." "Yes, that is the Crown." "The murder was done with it." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even works. See paragraph 1.E below. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my This is what he says: "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that from the brougham. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "10th. John Swain cleared. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the matter?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a beyond words. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I see many objections to any such theory." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "But I am all in the dark." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your criminal. We have already had experience of such." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I cannot imagine." again on its way. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Was he the only applicant?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I have hopes." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Certainly not. But why?' next day. the loss of it. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and was keenly on my guard against him. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I assure you that I am in your hands." business came to an end." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable stalked out of the room. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just this as likely?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. exactly what you advise." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No bad?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they really the only notable feature about the thing." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the coroner come to?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "That is possible." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which mystery may be cleared along those lines." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that you wished to speak to me?' this Miss Turner." of the one which your family is now devouring." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and laid it on the table. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if beyond words. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the highroad, where all traces were lost. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "That is not always so easy." could go. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that I may have something better before very many minutes are papers." drove away. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Absolutely?" my former friend and companion. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, go back?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you know that the truth is known." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Game for a morning drive?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his official police." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not