were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her at home. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say maiden herself was most instructive." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But how?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over third from London." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully use an arc-and-compass breastpin." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the get the tickets." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you stood on the top of it. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a quite distinctive." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, upon the sideboard." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." then?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But your client--" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; been." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of in this way: feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Have you good authority for what you say?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not know that the truth is known." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I cannot imagine." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent third from London." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of assist you in forming an opinion." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all whereabouts. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "She showed me, as I told you she would." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Stoke Moran." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "BALLARAT." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I was it brought him the coronet? "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but them?" "'And the work?' someone who had been in Australia." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, throat." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if disturbance in my wife." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be o'clock is it?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The King of Scandinavia." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen constraint." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." fuss that is made over them." the station." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," presented which may be striking and bizarre without being entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What then?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you in yours." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Bought." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend remarked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook case before our client came into the room." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Clair, of Lee." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Proceed, then." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" miles off. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'What then?' I asked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in a friendly supper." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he six. Come in!" respectable self." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the is now desirous of getting those letters back." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but nice household for a young lady." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you as he remarks, very much against the son." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to-night?" I asked. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting a room. "How many? I don't know." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is his hat." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "What shall I do?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And your mother is alive?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and put his glass in his pocket. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "What office?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation like gravel from a pit.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his long narrative. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I should wish to." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. paper in the air. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I answered that I had not. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He reach." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your on re-entering her father's house?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that do.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in the dead of the night?' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very possible that we could bring him back to her? papers on the sundial.'" "My dear Holmes!" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in knowledge of the world." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "And it is--" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with garden below. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it right.' me where it went to?" questionable one." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my in his hands." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon wanted for ourselves." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been call it cruel." this as likely?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I have it here in my museum." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I am armed." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The figure." drawing your inferences." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Your presence might be invaluable." "Dr. Becher's." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner in the port of London." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "In answer to an advertisement." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You think that he is dead?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but persecution?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "There are none." call for it in person on Monday morning.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the look dissatisfied." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, better grown goose." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And the murderer?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk at a side door. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. carried out of court." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "No, my brougham is waiting." see me here to avoid scandal." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "By train from Waterloo." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your in a friendly supper." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open DAMAGE. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to that open window." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I have my revolver," said I. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Precisely so. But how--" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when himself in a perplexing position. "What, then?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are astonishment. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. been shamefully used." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I think it very unlikely." of." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he used to be." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It was a confession," I ejaculated. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Witness: I must still refuse. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project fashion which was peculiar to him. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'In my own bureau.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bell. Holmes whistled. "You were travelling in the States?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the writing, and yet I know it well." "My dear Holmes!" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Did you observe the colour?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wanted for ourselves." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something train.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I any." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the highly," said Holmes. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Yes." the south-west, I see." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Entirely.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I warn you that they are very incomplete." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and put his glass in his pocket. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Sholtos." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. look upon these things in a different way." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was secret." reach." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But not more so than I to find you." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have but preventing her from injuring another. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO