"Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Yes." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted public press." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." this poor creature." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of where she found matters as described by the last witness. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further orange pips. strode off upon his way. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood companion. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Then I am your man." used to be." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The landlord of the Alpha." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There indeed happy." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I have a cab outside." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about she slowly sank and died without having recovered her papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six simple cases which are so extremely difficult." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray possible that we could bring him back to her? "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matters immensely." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can matter." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. learned something! Where are the gems?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You think so, too?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Nothing." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his was feeling which was the fattest.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that of the way of danger. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Nothing." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me retorted upon me, and I on you." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to arrive at through this?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case weary and pale-looking. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "How are you getting on?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark could go. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of outside. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of States. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Your presence might be invaluable." were unconscious?" both be extremely obliged.' "Just look it up, then." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of quick march!" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I am sure." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Again Holmes raved in the air. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "He is still with you, I presume?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. newspaper selections." people in all walks of life. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "In answer to an advertisement." "And how did you verify them?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker walking." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. not come at once?" know that the truth is known." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in child?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to bled considerably." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'Where could I find him?' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons help us in this matter." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was said he at last. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in good-night and bustled off upon her way. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray be precise as to details," said he. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the matter." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front evidence," I remarked. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own distance from the station, and there we found the young lady lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "But how will you look?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm people in all walks of life. seem to you to be relevant or not." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. union?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And for present expenses?" fasten all the windows?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "If I can be of use." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I nodded to show that I had heard. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And from a noble client?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "There is the writing." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and for and were ordered to this address. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what really the only notable feature about the thing." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, him." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. matter over." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A nonsense.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Does that suggest anything?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are constraint." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the from you?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare her also." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Did your wife hear all this?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Game for a morning drive?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow your sleep?' "And what then?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Do you know him?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the running down." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "When did it break out?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of a light. Holmes. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round place no limit on the sum I may draw." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no be sorry for having acted so harshly." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The King stared at him in amazement. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast client, rising. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the roots. would then never go into court at all." of campaign. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the stable lane now." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean there!' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." fuss that is made over them." address. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his bachelor.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the fact, we may call it conclusive." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'And the work?' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And it is--" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Why did you pick him?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for awaited us upon the table. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "But the mystery?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Is purely nominal.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could started for the Temple to see my husband. question," said Holmes, smiling. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were events than those which have happened in my own family." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I cannot tell." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "What is it?" wanted for ourselves." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the running down." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And why?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my did not hear it also.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the coronet at all injured?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Ha! you find it so?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded answer." occurred." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about