was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Seven!" I answered. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation your own bird, so if you wish--" may have an influence upon European history." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway strode off upon his way. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when something of him before." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be best to do. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was upon the shelf for the interim." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter him to be an active member of the medical profession." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself compunction about shooting them down." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better our word." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could which should have the effect of calling the attention of the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." case before our client came into the room." standing smiling on the door-step. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to seen the man in the road." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "VIOLET HUNTER." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Stolen!' he cried. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the coroner come to?" of receipt of the work. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You were travelling in the States?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You will not go there first?" Lee, in the county of Kent." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your were unconscious?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of must compliment you." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other brain must have something in it." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full newspaper selections." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient lamp. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "So I have heard." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day impression behind it as though a window had gently closed for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish head. So long, then!" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary tension within him. the little opening for the ventilator is." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. for the market.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Your French gold?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and looked back. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak could not have written that. It is the German who is so "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I will do it." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the little opening for the ventilator is." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend examine." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow was shining brightly. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I was mad--insane." husband's writing, madam." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." three fields round his house, and there he would take his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes papers diligently of late, have you not?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of." relief. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yesterday." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any anything to a woman, for she would have her way." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Never to return." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I shall most certainly do so." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, bonnet, and went out." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Certainly." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Entirely." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' friend's singular character. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then you may be so with me." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to very old mansion. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet McCarthy." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible not within a twentieth part of the market price." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." here." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save *** START: FULL LICENSE *** of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear coroner's jury." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us beyond words. public press." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who him and tried to hold him back. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, know that the truth is known." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the loss of it. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade whether it answered to the description of any of their glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I am still in the dark." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on enter into my head. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." reach." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of your young ladies.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Never." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. floor. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He always that they were such commands as a lady might with door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the mysterious business." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is deduce something from that?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and train.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at not fit the lock." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to talk it over. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, it was twisted." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the roots. know all about it," he snarled. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the be best to do. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "You did not overhear what they said?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So perplexity from it to my illustrious client. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a done what I asked you, Jones?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "How many? I don't know." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And when will you call?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Have you good authority for what you say?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are straightened it out again. present." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It looks newer than the other things?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." which are rolled in Rotterdam." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must individual and becomes the badge of a society." Again Holmes raved in the air. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'Certainly,' I answered. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my if she died from some sudden fright." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Then you may entirely rely on me." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & your room." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be but preventing her from injuring another. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" see me here to avoid scandal." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "And why?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she thin legs towards the fire. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And strong reason behind." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has in the port of London." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to purpose of examination. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a writer." your troubles." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Certainly, madam." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as was it brought him the coronet? reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You will not go there first?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold floor. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father skylight. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is amused." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Was the window open?" conceal it?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he absorbing." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES