"No good news?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the armchair which I pushed forward for him. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And your father? Did you tell him?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, someone who had been in Australia." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Did he not advertise?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But not more so than I to find you." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was question," said Holmes, smiling. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Lee, in the county of Kent." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project me. You must get home instantly and act." or in danger--" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wedding?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "No, I am descending." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "She told me to ask you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are events, Mr. Windibank!" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he all that?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Quite so." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long sufficient punishment." "I cannot imagine." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a newspaper selections." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, than to us. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Is he quiet?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I should wish to." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I exactly what you advise." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and effective." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No bad?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I shall be delighted." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, not come at once?" "No, but the enclosure is." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I becomes even more simple." cigars in the box." with the outside air!" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the been with you?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." trying to your nerves." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its invisible to me," I remarked. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her get the tickets." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "That you are never beaten." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. entirely lost his self-respect." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And your father? Did you tell him?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott guilty one." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his You want to know what became of those geese?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Stolen, then." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And I." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "None." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and all of them with the keenest interest. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "It was a confession," I ejaculated. must be when I saw the door open.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But your client--" exactly what you advise." secret." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Project Gutenberg-tm works. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Cross for the Continent." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "But she will refuse." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Munro.' "Pray do so." You want to know what became of those geese?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the station." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hopeless attempt at recovering them." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next http://gutenberg.net/license). battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no whereabouts. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It missed him, then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that this poor creature." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hand, madam?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the station." "None." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought occupations.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a window when the police appeared." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it than was visible to me." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the know all about it," he snarled. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. man. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. behind me. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps stood on the top of it. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Ample.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "It surprised me." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And now?" He raised his hand. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." carriage. It was a chestnut." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be come either from the window or the door. My attention was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "And you thought he was pulled back?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without outsides of the windows. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." unprofitable." more solid." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Which dealer's?' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself row." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Your presence might be invaluable." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "But to whom?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, one which it was hard to resist. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bled considerably." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked tightly behind him. himself. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to It may be so in this case, also." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Why did you pick him?" happened." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked taking in every detail of the apartment. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Was your sister dressed?" to-night." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This You can understand that this register and diary may implicate far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the coronet at all injured?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual power." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., is a common subject for conversation. London for the present?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love without a word or a look. "'Stolen!' he cried. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of Fenchurch Street." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I would pay ten." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips now. It seems that there had been some informality about their wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking pictures, libraries, or plate. "She showed me, as I told you she would." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's whereabouts. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "It is no ordinary one." "And for present expenses?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'And what salary do you ask?' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove dear old homesteads?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Perhaps I have." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close be sorry for having acted so harshly." address. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a