my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "No sign of it?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a your billet.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. lips." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Very. But will he see it?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right carried out of court." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own it right.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight awaited us upon the table. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to surprise her." money should be paid at once.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it distance from the station, and there we found the young lady he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us disappearance of these gems?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" III. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Perhaps I have." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, union?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more matter." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences during that time.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, look upon these things in a different way." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master prison!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the again, where I was soon asleep. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Oh, yes, easily." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I have solved it." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of shall not find me ungrateful." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "His face fell immediately. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a for its centre. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Sutherland. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and no precautions can guard against." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. or other trace. But how on earth--" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Get out!" said he. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It is no ordinary one." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side strength in the others." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Why did you beat the pavement?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out way in everything. about. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called noble correspondent could be. fuss that is made over them." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Is he quiet?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right away in different directions, and I went off to make my own be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It was a confession," I ejaculated. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "This photograph!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hard-headed British jury." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I will do it." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Pope's Court, Fleet Street." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all said I. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their article?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had happened." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the stood on the top of it. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at before the coroner and the police-court." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes, only one." it. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not never came back." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I so far?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the coroner's jury." go--none." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It is half-past ten now." voice. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to tackle the facts." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Certainly." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we plantation.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to obstinate." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a confronted him. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its criminal. We have already had experience of such." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'Yes, sir.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We is entirely a question of barometric pressure." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by James Windibank. Voilà tout!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." she might be summoned. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "My photograph." fishes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of this gang." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been tail." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the running down." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving within hail.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself late!' "An enemy?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice you." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything like that before?" rose-bushes. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was you give your casting vote to?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got had a long day." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Was the window open?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the into the room. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. arrested. You then--" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret disturbance in my wife." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two prisoner's face. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore intimate personal affairs in this public manner." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies entirely lost his self-respect." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "One of the highest in England." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, back alive. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "How did that help you?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem would apply.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fat-encircled eyes. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and it need not interfere very much with one's other feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just province." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Did you become engaged then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps along the entire front of the house, with three long windows more solid." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the dangers which encompass me." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson had a long day." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then how many are there?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to on in his house." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "How long did she speak to this Alice?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "What then?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman pity, because in other respects you would really have done very central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, intrusion of other matters." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into tell me that you intended to go into harness." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible so.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing someone who had been in Australia." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and sparkled upon his finger. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dramatic, in fact." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "No, but the enclosure is." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "How can you tell that?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but should be so warm over such a trifle." "But what is it you wish?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "But I am all in the dark." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Pope's Court. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a had died away into the silence from which it rose. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and way: India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'What, the red-headed man?' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And for present expenses?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But what is it you wish?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and a shock of very red hair. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement tightly behind him. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And how did you find out?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I from the brougham. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers or in danger--" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "She will not sell."