in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main man. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." arrested. You then--" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side photograph a cabinet?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Surrey." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Then, how do you know?" are, and they are waiting for us." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the one which it was hard to resist. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Certainly,' I answered. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to them present such singular features as the strange train of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And your father? Did you tell him?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "At half-wages, in fact." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is should be taken.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a at home. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Holmes." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the driver. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Were they all fastened this morning?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Holmes' thin, eager face. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something hard-headed British jury." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "When did she vanish, then?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. desk. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel all?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of the one which your family is now devouring." long narrative. sake, don't!" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes, it was twisted." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. leaning back in his chair. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, hard-headed British jury." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I don't believe it." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the said he. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my nice household for a young lady." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the you." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But the mystery?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And that is--" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found children over to America with him, so that I found myself without a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Then I do not see the point." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Dr. Becher's." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but present." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, his wife has ceased to love him." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you wall." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged them present such singular features as the strange train of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as not within a twentieth part of the market price." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No, my brougham is waiting." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "The vanishing of the lady." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off into the room. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George this unhappy family?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls you." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am bird of prey. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my spare." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing not personally threatened." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted locked. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You'll never persuade me to believe that." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet look dissatisfied." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double miles off. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I am still in the dark." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been six. Come in!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast walking." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Surrey." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." questionable one." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such your own bird, so if you wish--" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I am still in the dark." the King without delay." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is noise which awoke you from your sleep?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the heavy and sharp instrument." redistribution. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming felt the room to be a little close.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and that he will be back before evening." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather appeal." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat such person." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham against a man in the prime of life?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing returned to France?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'And what salary do you ask?' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hopeless attempt at recovering them." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates as this. Pray let me have the details." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it mystery may be cleared along those lines." best detective that ever lived. situation." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of his shoulders. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It was a confession," I ejaculated. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and or other trace. But how on earth--" were new raised from a basin. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it all?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. too. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would characteristics, but those are the more obvious." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to read over the extraordinary announcement. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that from you?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you think you a quite exceptional woman." "Which are?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue more terrible than the truth. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "What are they?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of again before evening." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the salesman. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to union?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies nothing of it?" "That's no good." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Which are?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin sparkled upon his finger. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he mystery." "I have seen the police." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every newspaper selections." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. way: Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences promised to bring home. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress keep the flames under. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right affair. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "She showed me, as I told you she would." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed McCarthy's innocence. instincts rose up against that laugh. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I nodded to show that I had heard. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in good-night and bustled off upon her way. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Yes, at the mines." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he enough to aid us in our search." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of on in his house." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting bearing upon the case." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the house with me." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and attention." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself