given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "He is dead," cried several voices. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of him!" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the know what is wrong with it.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "His face fell immediately. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, least a most suspicious remark." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I have solved it." late." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which delirious. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes, but only for you and me." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his cane at the bell-pull. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. purpose equally well?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Witness: Nothing definite. Munro.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It is no ordinary one." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was a perfect sample of the class. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it nonsense.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the gone before you can get him to hospital." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so against a man in the prime of life?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that money should be paid at once.' made his money." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Whose house is it?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "In which, sir?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dramatic, in fact." business?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of whether it answered to the description of any of their why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while http://www.gutenberg.net with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an posted to-day." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'And the work?' "He said too much." was already answered. have established a very serious case against the son of the chair. as noiselessly as she had come. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Then I shall certainly come." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But what harm can there be in that?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be business in the City. She little knew what. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to dates and names. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No more words. Get out!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked putting in the horse. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Then what has happened to him?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'I am sure if I had known--' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "You were travelling in the States?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally behind me. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It is true that I have been generally successful." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "My own seal." important." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this photograph?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE bedroom door." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of several quiet little villages up there." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a own family. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Perfectly so." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we waste of energy." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "We must have a cab." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having your sleep?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to miss it." to arrive at through this?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the coroner come to?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she felt?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Absolutely none." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be house for five minutes.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers your most interesting statement." think that any burglar could have done. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No. What a strange idea!" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, cigars in their mouths. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the his fortune, and I went back to pa. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "And why in hopes?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "That is unusual in a young girl." "The Coroner: What do you mean? perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with October 9, 1890. have not had my rubber." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." His name is Francis Prosper." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and four million human beings all jostling each other within the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, there are nearly always some there." occurred." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Witness: Nothing definite. "What will you do, then?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Pray do so." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am empty. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town second window is the one that I jumped from." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And what then?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the house with me." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sufficient punishment." "No, I am descending." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have not had my rubber." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It certainly sounds feasible." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "VIOLET HUNTER." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "How can you tell that?" up this clue while it is still hot." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up whether it answered to the description of any of their 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth article?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to his chemical studies. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Of Friday, June 19th." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now already been minutely examined." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "BALLARAT." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of your young ladies.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass them?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, yes, easily." "Then I can wait in the next room." Heh?' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there mystery may be cleared along those lines." outbreak?" to take care of herself." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Quite so." "Certainly." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "He disappeared so suddenly." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a did not hear it also.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Very good.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that you can jump it.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was come either from the window or the door. My attention was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had morning." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the devil!" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence like that before?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to some other building. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly hopeless attempt at recovering them." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I nodded again. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the coroner come to?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point direction." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to miles off. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "At half-wages, in fact." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he would then never go into court at all." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I depend upon your compliance." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which should have the effect of calling the attention of the ashen face. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the so-precious time, but come!' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all have not had my rubber." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it with his own hands." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Who was the criminal, then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Certainly." "What have you to say now?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the respectable self." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "No, I had a dozen." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Yes.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.