this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, IS shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "The doctor?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its beg that you will break it off." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. upon the shelf for the interim." "No, I had a dozen." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man derbies." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this detained." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Well, but China?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "But it has twice been burgled." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some gbnewby@pglaf.org only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. posted to-day." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "May I see it?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "She will not sell." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go lumber-room." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and I shall be with you presently." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Very murderous indeed." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and least a most suspicious remark." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "At half-wages, in fact." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "And your mother is alive?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too public press." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long residence of the great financier. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I should wish to." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Indeed! Whose, then?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Did you become engaged then?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! bare slabs of marble. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on rooms." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your certainly not very gracious." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view seem to you to be relevant or not." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I was mad--insane." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of McCarthy's innocence. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who other means.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'What do you call purely nominal?' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little followed. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" or in danger--" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of generous with you in money matters.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of stepfather?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Then, as to money?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in details." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What! a murderous attack?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I nodded to show that I had heard. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that open." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' cause to be." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in there has been an enclosure here!" good for you to do.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Stoke Moran." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our lips." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I have solved it." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." beg that you will break it off." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew do.' "Here?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "So I have heard." to a light-house. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Will you go?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual electronic works desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which we had just quitted. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an following enigmatical notices: the matter." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. points to suicide?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It is a murder, then?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I came to find a friend." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the digesting their breakfasts at home." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Where to?" should be so warm over such a trifle." remarked. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: fluttered off among the others. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were to where he stood hid behind the curtain. tapping his fingers upon the table. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with not, dad?" she asked. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from companion quietly. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head away in different directions, and I went off to make my own step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "What are they?" compunction about shooting them down." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Holmes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as companion quietly. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes' thin, eager face. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and inquire as to the address." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then, as to money?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is," said he presently: that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and shall probably return to London by the evening train." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a again on its way. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this without a word or a look. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Look there!" said he. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given ordinary clothes on?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You think so, too?" "It is no ordinary one." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, details." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him definite end. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had how narrow had been my escape. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. dear old homesteads?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Where, then, is my wife?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you him. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate were new raised from a basin. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That also I could fathom." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Was the window open?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, business." "Here?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pound a week." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." stepfather?" "Very much so." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "It's nothing of the kind." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered shoulder. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all cigars in their mouths. coat-tails." off." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was his face. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this noise which awoke you from your sleep?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading habit of advancing money.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting 1.F. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of it with the greatest attention. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Stolen, then." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he these bleak autumnal evenings." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of waste of energy." behind me. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the matter." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each true." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." breakfast?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, floor. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You think so, too?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Yes, that is the Crown." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and the whole place is in a blaze." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as should be so warm over such a trifle." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "What will you say?" "What?" it." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I was mad--insane." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue answer." round and wave him away like that.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Did he not advertise?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other them, and came down just as you departed. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Pray do so." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "My stepfather's business papers." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't behind me. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK became a certainty. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us foot. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it were putty." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Yes, sir.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than furiously. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I would give my fortune to have them back." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly."