his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of out of this horrible affair." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "9th. McCauley cleared. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "How can you tell that?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." man. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some once more. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. as he remarks, very much against the son." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez know all about it," he snarled. together. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Get out!" said he. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with think, you have already met." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." manager. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any tassel actually lying upon the pillow. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with assist you in forming an opinion." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I am sure." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "A greater distance to travel." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the tragedy. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "That also I could fathom." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Thank you. And your address?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the devil!" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Yes." bled considerably." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his our word." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in furiously. "It is no ordinary one." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there me upon any point which I do not make clear." disappearance of these gems?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a room. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Again Holmes raved in the air. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. province." whole matter to your consideration." beg that you will break it off." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. may have an influence upon European history." entirely lost his self-respect." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Certainly." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "One?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on definite end. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the child." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of there was no need for father to know." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Why did you pick him?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP few hundred pounds.' cheerful." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed better grown goose." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." have not had my rubber." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, I am descending." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take morning." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at his fortune, and I went back to pa. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house murdered man." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am sure." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "No, I am descending." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." for the market.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with III. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," daring than any effort of the imagination." you, my dear young lady?' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, from Horsham." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous your co-operation." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to opportunities to fix the problem. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "By all means." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it were putty." "And for present expenses?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to-night?' "So I have heard." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that he has suffered." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I cannot imagine." the room while you explain this matter?" DISSOLVED. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "But you would not advise me to refuse?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the she might be summoned. "You have a clue?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You have compromised yourself seriously." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to talk it over. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Was he the only applicant?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "But how did you gain them?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just breakfast and whispered something to her husband. we went to search for him, face downward in a little have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a certainly not very gracious." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." putting in the horse. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" may have an influence upon European history." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Have you her photograph?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, putting in the horse. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." had this final quarrel? to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the anything to do with the matter?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms must compliment you." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She his forehead." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Did you observe the colour?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of receipt of the work. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. breakfast." one which it was hard to resist. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the villagers almost as much as their master. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Pope's Court, Fleet Street." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Nothing." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." page at http://pglaf.org the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about ashen face. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "You don't mind breaking the law?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you have established a very serious case against the son of the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one letters?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I cup of tea. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting charge against him will break down." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then to change my dress. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I call the police, let the police find what they can.' to a more successful conclusion." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free pound a week." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Of what?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out disappearance of the bride.'" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Yes, sir.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had persecution?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The murder was done with it." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes meant it for the best. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" strode off upon his way. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father that threaten you." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the on in his house." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 11:15.' his knees, staring into the fire. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "To an end?" "Yes, all." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "An enemy?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was