"How many? I don't know." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "But the mystery?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by name is different." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I cannot imagine." she to prove their authenticity?" least a most suspicious remark." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. second window is the one that I jumped from." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had your most interesting statement." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may danger is over." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one both be extremely obliged.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Yes, it was gone.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a signal between you and your father? his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile character. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman business came to an end." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what views." works. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." be. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears at a side door. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" system of imprisonment?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. will he say when he returns?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt least a most suspicious remark." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of see a sister of mine apply for." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Mary, has deserted me." 1.F. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I will try. What is it?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. union?" back alive. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Not I." confronted him. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little matter over." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the back into the street. said I. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so tail." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes, it would be as well." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dates and names. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "What will you do, then?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "A client, then?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual in one or two places in England?' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I know where it is." should be taken.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to a light-house. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with soul! here is her carriage at the door." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head undoubtedly my uncle's." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want read it out to me." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. DISSOLVED. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Project Gutenberg-tm works. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the child." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he British peeress.'" seem to you to be relevant or not." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Where, indeed?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "So I heard. You have him here?" this as likely?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And how?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a conduct the inquiry." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Was your sister dressed?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "One of the highest in England." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, he did." "The murder was done with it." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than notes," he said. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of know what is wrong with it.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Can I be of assistance?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But you have hopes?" "The knees of his trousers." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, matter." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, directly by questioning you." father's young wife. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Yes, the wine-cellar." girl said." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it. "And on what day did he meet his death?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted wall." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the might help us?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away did not hear it also.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I am in hopes that she does." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pressing in one house as in another. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my remarked. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by forebodings. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And how did he make his money?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to bears upon the case?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Why? What do you mean?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question one of them." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the colour had been driven from his face. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You heard nothing yourself last night?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever official police." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the friend's singular character. have one." I shall communicate with you." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He said that you could solve anything." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Never to return." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Why did you pick him?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently note?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the had a long day." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hurried away. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in prepare for the new role I have to play." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I think that I had better go, Holmes." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my special province." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can be sorry for having acted so harshly." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the morning and make my own way in the world.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Ah!" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." ran thus: at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Thank you. And your address?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Imitated." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Then, how do you know?" "You horrify me!" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Holmes' thin, eager face. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who that I can to serve you." "Nearly eleven." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of been deceived." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several hereditary King of Bohemia." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Witness: Nothing definite. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to where he stood hid behind the curtain. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Miss Holder?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the people don't know." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my not fit the lock." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City for securing the situation." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" an introduction to him?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make