extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Frequently." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached future lives." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the he bowed and left the room without another word. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you again on its way. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "BALLARAT." remarked. voice, changing her seat as requested. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley indiscretion." mysterious end." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of depend upon your compliance." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And how have you succeeded?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, respectable self." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of Mr. Rucastle's." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some which are rolled in Rotterdam." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ since then to throw any light upon what became of him." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As were unconscious?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." head. So long, then!" "But his left-handedness." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come shaken than I had ever seen him. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow British peeress.'" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small out." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin friends, not even his own brother. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Which are?" cost them two and thirty pounds." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And how did he make his money?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my business at Coburg Square is serious." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the bled considerably." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "How many? I don't know." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy strong reason behind." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this *** START: FULL LICENSE *** this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that subject to the trademark license, especially commercial address. "So I have heard." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on bearing upon the case." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with the outside air!" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Then you may be so with me." be there in time for your coming." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Very. But will he see it?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in would apply.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the infinite languor in his face. "Not social, then?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You have a clue?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were key turn in the lock." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can do you make of it all?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the him!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any putting in the horse. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fattened it expressly for you.' new duties?' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Not yet." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but hand, madam?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. bled considerably." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Yes, I have one waiting." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Your sister is dead, then?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the address that was given us in the advertisement. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do written. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "That is not always so easy." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "He might." crime." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of washing it down with a long draught of water. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, will be renamed. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Not I." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Ah!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I would pay ten." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely bears upon the case?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of remarked. head. So long, then!" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm situation." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may showing my impatience. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. woman." "We were both in the photograph." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. skylight. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And why in hopes?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "How did you deduce the select?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' better grown goose." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. redistribution. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in some city in a dream. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this late!' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William into the room. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. been." forebodings. "Pray continue your narrative." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he had died away into the silence from which it rose. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his your room." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I cannot imagine." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his before, for it was considerably after midnight. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hardly wander." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Again Holmes raved in the air. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of what is your own theory as to what took place?" away into the river." what do you think they found in the pockets?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No, distinctly professional." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Never.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British once more on the important position which you have been fortunate 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" For additional contact information: 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Chief Executive and Director client, rising. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we out." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE must compliment you." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black bill, which interests me deeply." "What office?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Heh?' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the window, rose as we entered. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the brandy and water within his reach. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual footfalls from the street. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the ceiling. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, within hail.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Come in!" said he. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "The doctor?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the running down." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Stolen, then." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Indeed! Whose, then?" "He said too much." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You will not go there first?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies interests were the same as his." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And how did he make his money?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for excitement. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning coroner's jury." "You horrify me!" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' directly by questioning you." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Can I be of assistance?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sufficient punishment." as he remarks, very much against the son." whereabouts. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fasten all the windows?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the strength in the others." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in him." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But she could not love him." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Was he the only applicant?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Lee, in the county of Kent." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I him." morning." "Then you may entirely rely on me." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Very murderous indeed." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' compunction about shooting them down." his grey eyes. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And what did you see?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the an introduction to him?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. persecution?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. upon an income of about 60 pounds." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to have that photograph." and all of them with the keenest interest. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, fishes. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I should wish to."