the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "The doctor?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view his cane at the bell-pull. "Why serious?" him!" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my meanly of me." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since IS pressing in one house as in another. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the deduce something from that?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a such person." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, your equipment. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sound at heart." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and her also." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "No legal papers or certificates?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the waste of energy." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cigar and let me expound." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. which are rolled in Rotterdam." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he take the flies, but not before." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the little opening for the ventilator is." "No, my brougham is waiting." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of in his power. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is very clear." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Pray be precise as to details," said he. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You don't mind breaking the law?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Mrs. Toller serenely. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Edgeware Road. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to note?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "What will you do, then?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "And your mother is alive?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. said he. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number garden below. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes." I took the paper from him and read as follows: is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" States. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad singular points about the case. What did the police think of the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "And for present expenses?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his sparkled upon his finger. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient with you alone." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one for securing the situation." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "And you can do nothing until then?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. place no limit on the sum I may draw." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had your equipment. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling address. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I don't believe it." as this. Pray let me have the details." annoyance, but no jest. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save noting anything else of interest. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes." tell them apart.' "By no means." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' points to suicide?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a all-comprehensive glances. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella for and were ordered to this address. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and cheerful." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this electronic works still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He other lovers by making love himself." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of campaign. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring out." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Yes, sir." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he bowed and left the room without another word. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I say it is." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "What are they?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "A call for help, you thought?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, John Swain, of St. Augustine. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "An enemy?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes, sir." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the on in his house." detained." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You have but to name it." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to better in every way that they should make their position a little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which present strange and interesting features that it is no easy began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid not within a twentieth part of the market price." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of Fenchurch Street." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'A dozen yards or so.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the redistribution. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three 1.F. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' question," said Holmes, smiling. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" is a common subject for conversation. "10th. John Swain cleared. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a ready to-morrow?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads man. I know him from the photograph." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand envelope. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Where did he live, then?" maid will bring up your coffee." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the bottom.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either be sorry for having acted so harshly." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again that threaten you." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And from a noble client?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms money should be paid at once.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'Yes, sir.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. might help us?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "There is the writing." "Did you become engaged then?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Where, then?" kindly on the shoulder. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, me where it went to?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Ten to two.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, I nodded again. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "At half-wages, in fact." of his shoulders. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is lips." the salesman. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you washing it down with a long draught of water. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes room. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can there was no need for father to know." "I say it is." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a murdered man." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to awaited us upon the table. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door said I. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the away to you." was not a bird to be seen there. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'As governess?' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the that, and I came down." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. had formerly been in part my own. distinguish the words: "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Where could I find him?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "On the contrary, this is the right side." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And Miss Sutherland?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I am still in the dark." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Watson," he said cordially. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with brought there to personate someone, and the real person is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and morning." when you have done it." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dear old homesteads?" amused." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of before, for it was considerably after midnight. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Who by?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of campaign. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and your relations to her." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." article?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to key turn in the lock." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of the one which your family is now devouring." of a light. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one keep the flames under. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' to miss it." "Yes." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become absorbing." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and