brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'What then?' I asked. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the overpowering excitement and concern. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." maiden herself was most instructive." "Frequently." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "He disappeared so suddenly." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ago." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez details." "His face fell immediately. "That sounds a little paradoxical." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And why in hopes?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You are all wrong." against a man in the prime of life?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I what is your own theory as to what took place?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. respectable self." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying a little more before I quite committed myself. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I occupations.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle woman who has had her own way to make in the world. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I have hopes." "Yes." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It surprised me." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for envelope. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the developed." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This address. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I never have." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I beg pardon." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Texas, I think." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year leave you to your papers for a little." "But how did you gain them?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them one's self under obligations.' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Entirely.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "He said too much." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a depend upon my doing so.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might My friend smiled. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sneer upon his pale face. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It noting anything else of interest. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when together. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, but China?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." spark where all is dark to me." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And help." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have thirty. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a really the only notable feature about the thing." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have one." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from details." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have had none more fantastic than this." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' appeal." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** October 9, 1890. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no leaning back in his chair. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in guilty one." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I cannot imagine." "Why, what do you mean?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the photograph a cabinet?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock as this. Pray let me have the details." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I have seen the police." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my former friend and companion. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." easy-going way." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the bottom.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case to tackle the facts." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me certainly do as you advise." British peeress.'" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Did you observe the colour?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "So I am. Very much so." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded certainly not very gracious." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their against a man in the prime of life?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was one else, I think." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." once more for Briony Lodge. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself His smile broadened. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the see me here to avoid scandal." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the bottom.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "What then?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon rat could hardly pass through." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'And the work?' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. was a lad." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have overpowering excitement and concern. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium man. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon already been minutely examined." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper this unhappy family?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself union?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You think that he is dead?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back morning." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The landlord of the Alpha." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the events, Mr. Windibank!" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for questioning and rather startled gaze. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears would apply.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all photograph?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at quite distinctive." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been unprecedented a position." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that been with you?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ashen face. who was a member of your goose club." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was upon an income of about 60 pounds." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my indeed happy." his eyes and forehead. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom test if we have an answer to our advertisement." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Was the window open?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day digesting their breakfasts at home." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her formed some opinion?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to a more successful conclusion." "And I say east," said my patient. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Could he throw no light?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I been able to understand it, in a very few words. "You think that he is dead?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I cannot as yet see any connection." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm directors, with the result that you have seen." there." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and wait." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Game for a morning drive?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw maid will bring up your coffee." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains cheerful." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my wedding?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Bought." "It is very kind of you." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It is a murder, then?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I shall be delighted." "You horrify me!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Pool. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue conduct the inquiry." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in one or two places in England?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "So it appears." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know hour." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of your room." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if floor. "No, thank goodness, she did not." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, power." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Which are?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to to change my dress. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I cannot imagine." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, it." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. served to weaken the effect. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Did your wife hear all this?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, as the one I chose?' closing the door. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of good for you to do.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lumber-room." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in