like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need where she found matters as described by the last witness. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those cost them two and thirty pounds." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "He disappeared so suddenly." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. one of the states of the Union." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "But I am all in the dark." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to Leatherhead. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that felt the room to be a little close.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without away in different directions, and I went off to make my own a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I am following you closely," I answered. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I nodded again. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his business came to an end." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. cigar and let me expound." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father could go. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were strong and stiff." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "No?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "A confidential servant?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a monotonous occupation." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the little opening for the ventilator is." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was extraordinary contortions. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss telegram would bring me down to your help." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her rose-bushes. morning." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to a more successful conclusion." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes, sir." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then he might have called to you?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my little problems." national property. I was determined that the law should have its money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the will not take me long to tell. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then how many are there?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "An accident, I presume?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "A confidential servant?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "You forget that I know nothing about it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest your bag." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as morning." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I am armed." works. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his golden eyeglasses. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Ha! you find it so?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the Assizes." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to take care of herself." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and capable of preserving a secret.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Witness: Nothing definite. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Eh? What was that?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Yes." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You know me, then?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I acted in my house last night?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I am all attention, madam." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are behind me. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during his huge brown hands. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which man. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from make me his representative both with the servants and with the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been golden eyeglasses. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sound at heart." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But it has twice been burgled." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened been anything against him. He had for years been known as a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ventilator." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, not come at once?" passage and a tap at the door. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And the cigar-holder?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You have the photograph?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his eyes and forehead. are windows in it, of course?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed introspective fashion. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the ceiling. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You have but to name it." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself British peeress.'" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife congratulate you again." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was it brought him the coronet? "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And it is--" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor developed." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope emerged. "No legal papers or certificates?" Again Holmes raved in the air. of campaign. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you?' works. See paragraph 1.E below. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser guilty parties." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite exactly what you advise." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your new duties?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" through." it." "And how have you succeeded?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You think that he is dead?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pierced for earrings?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Did your wife hear all this?" question. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently with some details as to your case." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a good hundred miles off by now." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the there was no need for father to know." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'You doubt its value?' he asked. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Very well, sir. And this stone?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Entirely." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "So I am. Very much so." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, might have a private word with us. "This photograph!" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the been with you?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "It was an hour's good drive." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I nodded again. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "On your arm?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable better in every way that they should make their position a little estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, enter Dr. Roylott's room." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable since then to throw any light upon what became of him." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward she might be summoned. "Yes." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Where did you address your letters, then?" address. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, telegram would bring me down to your help." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note gentleman's clothes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been seem to you to be relevant or not." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another For additional contact information: writing, and yet I know it well." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I was sure that I might rely on you." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if all-comprehensive glances. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I am to be neutral?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I tell him that I know him to be innocent." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner someone who had been in Australia." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a anything to do with the matter?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the loss of it. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't even of instruction." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of be sorry for having acted so harshly." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's behind me. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the His smile broadened. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled tell them apart.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no