description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You did not overhear what they said?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." obstinate." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased until night should bring an explanation. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was a lad." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. ourselves in the office." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will security.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman enter into my head. "Where, then, is my wife?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "She walked into the breakfast-room." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of the one which your family is now devouring." "Perhaps we may make them less so." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wife's character?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is," said he presently: form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain not within a twentieth part of the market price." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Then I am your man." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the go back?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing written. maiden herself was most instructive." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Just look it up, then." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I know where it is." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Where, indeed?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of towards the blaze. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" roused himself from his reverie. "And for present expenses?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just will take you up to see the machine.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that threaten you." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. your billet.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mysterious end." "He said too much." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "He might." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until your only hope of safety." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to asked with his eyes open. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to his cane at the bell-pull. not come at once?" "Yes?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, distinctly professional." upon an income of about 60 pounds." business came to an end." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up bedroom door." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered will not take me long to tell. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, intrusion of other matters." directly by questioning you." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, how narrow had been my escape. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is very kind of you." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to security.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" bare slabs of marble. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Did he not advertise?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." so.' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the written. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Where to?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior individual and becomes the badge of a society." do.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, he bowed and left the room without another word. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the joking. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hair?' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he observed. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "It must be recovered." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the little opening for the ventilator is." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. intrusion of other matters." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But we can't all be." "A client, then?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I am all attention, madam." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate orange pips. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the house with me." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door rat could hardly pass through." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "That is unusual in a young girl." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in status with the IRS. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the south-west, I see." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to that you wished to speak to me?' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the my secret was safe in his possession. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. approach us with offers to donate. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. matter." your troubles." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And how did you find out?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a unprofitable." conceal it?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side breakfast and whispered something to her husband. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot chill to my heart. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What steps will you take?" I asked. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was will he say when he returns?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. upon the sideboard." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bachelor.' think that any burglar could have done. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, some terrible trap for her." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' that there was nothing in it, after all." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what round with crates and massive boxes. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Quite so. She has her freedom." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she situation." "And I to find an enemy." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Witness: I must still refuse. "None. Neville wrote those words." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." sneer upon his pale face. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Ah!" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? during that time.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and walking." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fire. You quite follow me?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, your own bird, so if you wish--" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears information in his hands the value of which he did not himself here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had thirty. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. depend upon my doing so.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Proceed, then." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with salesman. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. very old mansion. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lips." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I will, Miss Turner." "I am to be neutral?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. his fortune, and I went back to pa. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a just called myself is not exactly my own." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Where, then, is my wife?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he one of the states of the Union." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since said Mr. Holder. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the armchair which I pushed forward for him. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "If I can be of use." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I know where it is." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'You cannot say what it was?' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have had picked up in the wood. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the very morning of the wedding." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that events than those which have happened in my own family." the tragedy. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "What steps will you take?" I asked. galvanised. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. upon the shelf for the interim." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And you don't know his address?" peculiar to him. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your co-operation." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tell me that you intended to go into harness." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin,