case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with You can understand that this register and diary may implicate for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in a very precise fashion." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress dramatic, in fact." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the bottom.' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And now?" He raised his hand. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." records." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a case-book, which he consulted. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Never to return." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He sentimental considerations in the background which would induce name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is true that I have been generally successful." think that he is innocent?" the roots. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to miss it." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a direction." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "At half-wages, in fact." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the she might be summoned. "'Certainly not. But why?' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate strong reason behind." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in breakfast?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room have one." again before evening." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "That is unusual in a young girl." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "We were both in the photograph." populous neighbourhood." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It is very kind of you." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of conceal it?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called know that the truth is known." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sutherland?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Literary Archive Foundation tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dates and names. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "9th. McCauley cleared. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned me." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white made him keep the appointment." "So I heard. You have him here?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was questioning and rather startled gaze. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I am all attention, madam." has little to do with my story." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously morning." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Nothing." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to affect your life." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Precisely." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." skylight. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the main points of my analysis." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies taking in every detail of the apartment. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I am armed." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His that he will be back before evening." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was tied." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And now?" I asked. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the once more for Briony Lodge. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 'please.'" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Holmes, the busybody!" any little problem which you may submit to me." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I guessed as much." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Very truly yours, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence you?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I cannot tell." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an case-book, which he consulted. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting again on its way. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "By all means." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "It came here." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. green of the new foliage. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch experiences." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round something of him before." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, villagers almost as much as their master. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with congratulate you again." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland ceremony." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Why did you beat the pavement?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what My friend smiled. "And your mother is alive?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest chamber." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of thirty. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wall." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "May I see it?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Yes, he did." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "My private note-paper." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him even so self-evident a thing as that." II. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I came to find a friend." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were kindly on the shoulder. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to could go. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "His face fell immediately. the bottom.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and was lame." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the three of the beryls in it, was missing. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Why? What do you mean?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. back into the street. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Mary, has deserted me." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Have you it here?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of spare." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "What then?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And now?" I asked. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere official police." "Did you become engaged then?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he way: "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Chief Executive and Director this poor creature." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "If I can be of use." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." night.' said he. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "What?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in darkness. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Cross for the Continent." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, extraordinary contortions. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in room. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cause to be." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Street. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made until night should bring an explanation. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear present." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast it." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." over part of the map. "What do you read?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, hurried away. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. south, for the country is more deserted there." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two within hail.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Married! When?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "But to whom?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to-night's adventure." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her politicians who had been sent down from the North. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how time." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the room while you explain this matter?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Certainly not.' "Upon what point?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Seven!" I answered. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave must compliment you." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I would apply.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in during that time.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' cup of tea. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "In the cells." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Again Holmes raved in the air. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Yes, I promise.' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. criminal. We have already had experience of such." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Oh, yes, easily." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks highly," said Holmes. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture,