train from Paddington which would bring you there at about conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without What do you deduce from it?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Yes, they were peculiar boots." again on its way. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Tired-looking or fresh?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of himself. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was lame." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "What then?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between examine." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the them?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case there!' prepare for the new role I have to play." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the very old mansion. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense entirely lost his self-respect." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But the mystery?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to you." "But how?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was acted in my house last night?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then enter into my head. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So had picked up in the wood. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Watson," he said cordially. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I feature." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from closely." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his just called myself is not exactly my own." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Can I be of assistance?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Very truly yours, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, are windows in it, of course?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." forehead. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she highly," said Holmes. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with nothing of it?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I am armed." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'I have already given you my word.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! breakfast and whispered something to her husband. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two room had already been engaged for us. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a be sorry for having acted so harshly." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round what I may call a really hard day's work." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I think that it is very probable." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter there were one or two details which were new to me. But the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." could gather together that I was able to avert another public then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fat-encircled eyes. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Ah!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one public press." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Imitated." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It is his hat." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I think it very unlikely." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" acquaintance?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "But not more so than I to find you." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then, how do you know?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, that is the Crown." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "And how in the world did you find them?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. when you have done it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you ashen face. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the about. you?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with 1.F. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before anything to do with the matter?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that where Mr. Fordham shows you.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were foresight and the moral retrogression?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the salesman. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four particular state visit http://pglaf.org quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking could gather together that I was able to avert another public troubles have been weighing upon his mind. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were something of him before." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he outsides of the windows. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of receipt of the work. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this seem to you to be relevant or not." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It she might be summoned. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I think that it is very probable." spare." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and cost them two and thirty pounds." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hand, madam?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, nonsense.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The murder was done with it." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen towards the blaze. yards of it?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the upon the shelf for the interim." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and towards the blaze. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful money should be paid at once.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a despaired of." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to-night's adventure." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he quickly through a disagreeable task. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You heard nothing yourself last night?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one next day. outside. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I think it very unlikely." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by was the fact that his father should, according to his account, enough to aid us in our search." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Where, then?" was already answered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the matter?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging even of instruction." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Holmes rather sternly. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot woman who has had her own way to make in the world. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came have not had my rubber." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I papers must be those that are destroyed.' for the market.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You are hungry," I remarked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a my former friend and companion. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I held the little printed slip to the light. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Could he throw no light?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and and that he would see to anything that turned up. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers province." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot so far?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And I say east," said my patient. Watson," he said cordially. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the King without delay." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It looks newer than the other things?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "You heard nothing yourself last night?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. questionable one."