back alive. Surrey." went to the Alpha were town bred." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the chance at all." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would not use it unless it is absolutely needed." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "10th. John Swain cleared. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Do you go out much in society?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'I am sure that I do not know.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so unkempt, staring out at me. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It missed him, then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Texas, I think." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the answered with a sidelong glance. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most any little problem which you may submit to me." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off your own bird, so if you wish--" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that anything to do with the matter?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his guilty one." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the been able to understand it, in a very few words. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. whatever might befall. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence one of them." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, charged with?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I points to suicide?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man do.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman heavy and sharp instrument." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of fire. You quite follow me?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "What can you not understand?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag direction." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "How did you trace it, then?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the inner apartment." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat galvanised. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation future lives." "None." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as what do you think they found in the pockets?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of tell them apart.' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being once more. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa morning." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "A client, then?" off." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional chambers. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons gone before you can get him to hospital." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I he died? "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have an American origin." "'You cannot say what it was?' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "That sounds a little paradoxical." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a good hundred miles off by now." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His late!' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." washing it down with a long draught of water. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Quite so." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they next day. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who rooms." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the salesman. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal back alive. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very been deceived." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and be best to do. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' papers on the sundial.'" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out would apply.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I cannot think." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and chance at all." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head few hundred pounds.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Where could I find him?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The King of Scandinavia." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported sneer upon his pale face. in a friendly supper." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by status with the IRS. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What is it?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for following enigmatical notices: could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Most admirably.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an within hail.' "Of Friday, June 19th." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, has little to do with my story." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE in a friendly supper." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project McCarthy." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all most interesting one." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "No." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which careless servant girl?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I shall communicate with you." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? plantation.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "No." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, tear off another piece?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips threw himself down with his face to the pillow. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep pity, because in other respects you would really have done very about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of the way of danger. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him did not hear it also.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yesterday." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Why? What do you mean?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And is that all?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, I leave." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. eat it." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' present." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hurried by. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." tell me that you intended to go into harness." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of not within a twentieth part of the market price." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed strength in the others." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I quickly through a disagreeable task. never to learn it at all." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "He might." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! from the brougham. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, some hundreds of times." "'I have already given you my word.' himself. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Surrey." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What then?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can forbidden door. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Quite so. She has her freedom." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But I am all in the dark." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his IS matter." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations is worth.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked plantation.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "ARAT," I read. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Was she in good spirits?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And it is--" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and a shock of very red hair. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her chamber." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. villagers almost as much as their master. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. once more to my work. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several shall use the carriage to-night." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out thirty. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in vanished into the darkness. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I have come for advice." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Certainly." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all companion. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But what will you do?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. that I can to serve you." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and outsides of the windows. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in darkness. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to miss it." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we meanly of me." IS clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. views." there." "No, distinctly professional." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that."