"And now?" I asked. with you alone." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "How on earth--" "Perhaps we may make them less so." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, all?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Henry Baker is a member." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was a perfect sample of the class. "Texas, I think." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed is a common subject for conversation. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Look there!" said he. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much your bag." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Yes." "Yes, only one." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Get out!" said he. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake excitement. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have handed it to him. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all less than 26s. 4d. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his sake, don't!" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the address that was given us in the advertisement. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It missed him, then?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they when your master had gone out." your billet.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at sooner or later she must fall a victim. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I never have." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. key of the affair now." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said yourselves in at night?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "When did she vanish, then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "None." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I call it cruel." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could His smile broadened. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few charged with?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Nothing." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy advice." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was who was a member of your goose club." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And Miss Sutherland?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Nothing." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice careless servant girl?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to putting in the horse. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must know what is wrong with it.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It's nothing of the kind." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to dates and names. and a shock of very red hair. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project companion. "I have come for advice." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Where to?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly gentleman's clothes. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. your billet.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ashen face. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Sutherland. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You have a clue?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake But Holmes shook his head gravely. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered one which it was hard to resist. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." legal crime." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And your mother is alive?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. followed. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City McCarthy's innocence. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of Mr. Rucastle's." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'As governess?' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally During two years I have had three consultations and one small and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have could go. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And from a noble client?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "To ruin me." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Yes, certainly." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "He slept on the premises." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you at once, for I have only half an hour." "No." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is bedroom door." "Nearly eleven." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery within hail.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that I can to serve you." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I never have." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I am following you closely," I answered. neither fascinating nor artistic." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can will not take me long to tell. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. this man was intellectual?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'And what are they worth?' I asked. house for five minutes.' "'Ten to two.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon cigar and let me expound." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both never to learn it at all." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** never will be, entirely cleared up. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable better in every way that they should make their position a little "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I man. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the eavesdroppers?' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to about. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much hopeless attempt at recovering them." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Texas, I think." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "His face fell immediately. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed my secret was safe in his possession. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the house with me." "Entirely." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Well." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every goes." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and business came to an end." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Chief Executive and Director "'And the work?' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to affect your life." quick march!" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This one else, I think." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two careless servant girl?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." way in." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but what do you think they found in the pockets?" "None." "Ten will be early enough." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I should like to see him very much." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Sutherland. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged friend's singular character. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may chamber." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly became a certainty. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the photograph?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at