disturbance in my wife." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "From his hat?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of bachelor.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You have the photograph?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "In what way?" asked Holmes. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was a loud and authoritative tap. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Doctor, of the paper and the date." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was walking." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I one of the states of the Union." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael character. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not ourselves in the office." Sutherland?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he ashen face. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small him nearly every evening." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "And on what day did he meet his death?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so depend upon my doing so.' it. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "No." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the coronet in his hands?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Was the window open?" conduct the inquiry." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular eavesdroppers?' "An enemy?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector guilty parties." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Your sister is dead, then?" appeal." peculiar to him. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not in my life." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to burst out into a roar of laughter. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were gone before you can get him to hospital." For additional contact information: the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check searched, without anything being found which could incriminate both be extremely obliged.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with bill, which interests me deeply." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It came here." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Game for a morning drive?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. have accepted such a situation. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Then I am your man." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very morning of my second wedding." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "What then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which hard-headed British jury." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining for the market.' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Entirely." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. or in danger--" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would vague figure huddled up in the darkness. said Mr. Holder. companion quietly. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What of the rat, then?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "May I see it?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after him. are, I think, all that we need." congenial hunt. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ashen face. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "What is it, then--a fire?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' allusion to a rat. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him in a friendly supper." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I know where it is." in the hope of finding them." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, me upon any point which I do not make clear." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all indeed happy." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." purpose equally well?" "Yes. He waved his hands." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the King without delay." if she died from some sudden fright." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "At half-wages, in fact." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which him and tried to hold him back. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the devil!" Serpentine Avenue. bare slabs of marble. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even better in every way that they should make their position a little "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness letters?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies them present such singular features as the strange train of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I fear not." "Have you her photograph?" hour." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. that, and I came down." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in the port of London." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. lost nothing by them." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with careless servant girl?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism she might be summoned. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." man. I know him from the photograph." questionable one." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I she to prove their authenticity?" instincts rose up against that laugh. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "But you were on a friendly footing?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His what do you think they found in the pockets?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would strength of mind to control. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" address. one which it was hard to resist. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." true." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'Where could I find him?' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." ago." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" take the flies, but not before." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Mary, has deserted me." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran with you alone." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already true." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Where did he live, then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most one which it was hard to resist. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb you." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the coronet in his hand?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity morning." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my them, and came down just as you departed. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It surprised me." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the highroad, where all traces were lost. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is," said he presently: foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers said he, "my real name is James Ryder." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Yes, that is the Crown." delirious. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have started for the Temple to see my husband. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the footfalls from the street. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And what then?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'What, the red-headed man?' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes, it was twisted." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the your equipment. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from purpose of examination. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought You want to know what became of those geese?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of from the brougham. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Doctor, of the paper and the date." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "This photograph!" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Eh? What was that?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old note?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit character. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made make me his representative both with the servants and with the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I remarked. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet noise which awoke you from your sleep?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were problems help me to do so." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes, but only for you and me." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Yes, sir." help us in this matter." "No. What a strange idea!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as will not take me long to tell. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What will you say?" murdered man." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. served to weaken the effect. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "But she will refuse." the stable lane now." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for make me his representative both with the servants and with the "When did she vanish, then?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I