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"Imitated." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Certainly, madam." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason her also." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." is," said he presently: Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fattened it expressly for you.' chair. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And Miss Sutherland?" was keenly on my guard against him. eavesdroppers?' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Your sister is dead, then?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been door?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only hour." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He disappeared so suddenly." "The rest you will leave in our hands." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent business came to an end." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted directors, with the result that you have seen." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Edgeware Road. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." writers could invent nothing more crude." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. three of the beryls in it, was missing. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could hard-headed British jury." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to affect your life." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "He disappeared so suddenly." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Why did you pick him?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of fine shops and stately business premises that they really money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a horse could go." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed through." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You are all wrong." wedding?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some himself in a perplexing position. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, on in his house." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the coronet in his hand?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at skylight. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you for a few hours?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was was already answered. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty was not a bird to be seen there. depend upon your compliance." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and side. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of the one which your family is now devouring." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Do you know him?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Have you her photograph?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'What, the red-headed man?' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And from a noble client?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a said he. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "So it appears." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably prison!" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "What I expected to see." "Your sister is dead, then?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Sutherland?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise how narrow had been my escape. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than absorbing." rooms." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, window when the police appeared." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was even of instruction." maid will bring up your coffee." all that?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, in this way: front of me. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Well?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "That is possible." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Stolen, then." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you in your example." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Leadenhall Street--and--" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Why, it's a dummy," said he. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "There is the writing." extraordinary contortions. "The vanishing of the lady." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be generous with you in money matters.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "An enemy?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Texas, I think." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "BALLARAT." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what light and attacked it." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his address. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass washing it down with a long draught of water. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "But I am all in the dark." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, said he. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Then I shall certainly come." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you get the tickets." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Certainly." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which again on its way. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of it with the greatest attention. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in darkness. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head detective. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for hair?' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Never." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "What is it, then--a fire?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but empty. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees retorted upon me, and I on you." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was went to the Alpha were town bred." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of chance." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and the church but not where the lady lived." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective humiliation." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Certainly not.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Where does the thing come from?' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of your sleep?' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time your room." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Ten to two.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and examine." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Won't it ring?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "No. His orders were to stay in the house." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among hereditary King of Bohemia." into the room. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Of what?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and all of them with the keenest interest. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Lee, in the county of Kent." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "So I have heard." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make begun to whiten, even as mine has." was used.' been with you?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'Ample.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own remarked. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am about to be married." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. recover the gem." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. do.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. salesman. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but fasten all the windows?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Holmes. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. window when the police appeared." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal prove to be little relation between the different incidents of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It was." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the fishes. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fishes. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a morning." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "What can you not understand?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is you give your casting vote to?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up.