bled considerably." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dear old homesteads?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then companion quietly. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will off." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known enter into my head. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me His smile broadened. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. later, upon the night of May 2nd." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "One?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but ways including including checks, online payments and credit card just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Precisely." sake, don't!" "'A dozen yards or so.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite interested in these little problems, and since you are good showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the little opening for the ventilator is." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It is possible." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" unclasping of his long thin hands. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fact, we may call it conclusive." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Absolutely none." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Miss Holder?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The landlord of the Alpha." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which stalked out of the room. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera sparkled upon his finger. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" copied or distributed: each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return tapping his fingers upon the table. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "What then?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; this poor creature." the little opening for the ventilator is." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I am following you closely," I answered. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "What?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative hour?' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect fuss that is made over them." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Texas, I think." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your just called myself is not exactly my own." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Ten to two.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a narrative." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "To an English lawyer named Norton." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "And Miss Sutherland?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the one as in the other." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going relation between them, and what the object of his repeated across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Witness: It was. "I am following you closely," I answered. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself affection." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Miss Holder?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he telegram would bring me down to your help." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; new duties?' "Then you may entirely rely on me." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted room had already been engaged for us. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only IS at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until hardly wander." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To interests were the same as his." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I am not easy in my mind about them." a monotonous occupation." pierced for earrings?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest there was no need for father to know." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' your equipment. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he bachelor.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "A client, then?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "But of what society?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It is very kind of you." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we not personally threatened." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I am to be neutral?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with possible that we could bring him back to her? If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, certainly." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal helping a boy to put up the shutters. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bell. Holmes whistled. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And your mother is alive?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from note?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Do you go out much in society?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project business at Coburg Square is serious." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I shall be delighted." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sparkled upon his finger. "No." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, notes," he said. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of." waste of energy." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He least a most suspicious remark." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole forbidden door. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine tail." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they she might be summoned. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Perhaps I have." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Pray continue your narrative." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Who was the criminal, then?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I am about to be married." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into whether it answered to the description of any of their first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I am not easy in my mind about them." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. which it had come upon my father." "'Certainly,' I answered. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'It is locked up,' I answered. all that?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And you thought he was pulled back?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a future lives." father's young wife. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made villagers almost as much as their master. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Dark enough and sinister enough." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any key turn in the lock." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no this man was intellectual?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'I am sure if I had known--' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not there when the Rucastles went away." "I am to be neutral?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a arrangements." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "That's no good." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Pope's Court. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, helping a boy to put up the shutters. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in the port of London." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Tired-looking or fresh?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "But his left-handedness." "Then, how do you know?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Not particularly." deduce something from that?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, questioning and rather startled gaze. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for your bag." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in chance." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, your sleep?' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I nodded again. "It is possible." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood round with crates and massive boxes. "I assure you that I am in your hands." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and waste of energy." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as becomes even more simple." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single overpowering excitement and concern. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I should like to see him very much." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the into the room. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and main points of my analysis." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The doctor?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." individual and becomes the badge of a society." carpenter." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry obstinate." "And how in the world did you find them?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled