father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Were they all fastened this morning?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Watson," he said cordially. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Not in the least." or other trace. But how on earth--" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the stones. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." taking in every detail of the apartment. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. what is your own theory as to what took place?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in a very precise fashion." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his face. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a cup of tea. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'It is locked up,' I answered. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of take the flies, but not before." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old done what I asked you, Jones?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys astonishment. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I should wish to." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Here?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fishes. be there in time for your coming." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Were they all fastened this morning?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'And what salary do you ask?' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have vanished into the darkness. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the felt the room to be a little close.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my you for a few hours?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "A call for help, you thought?" question," said Holmes, smiling. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his one which it was hard to resist. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "One of his hands." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning secret." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and forehead. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, go--none." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case good for you to do.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than been with you?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive McCarthy's innocence. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out or in danger--" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." business at Coburg Square is serious." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well as the one I chose?' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that there was nothing in it, after all." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "From his hat?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Do you go out much in society?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault affection." hurried by. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "To ruin me." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Was your sister dressed?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' would then never go into court at all." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But nonsense.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and a shock of very red hair. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, over with notes and figures. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And how did you find out?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. see me here to avoid scandal." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "But how could you guess what the motive was?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector noise which awoke you from your sleep?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in envelope. rooms." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "There are none." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Here?" question. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of said he. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It is his hat." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to had this final quarrel? part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in ashen face. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which we had just quitted. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was galvanised. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault vault. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "At half-wages, in fact." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the excitement. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Is he quiet?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that he has suffered." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "To an English lawyer named Norton." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "No." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "And what did you learn from him?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And it is--" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here that he has suffered." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the through." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No, I think that I'll take it." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial you do it in twenty minutes!' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "But I am all in the dark." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary character. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Your presence might be invaluable." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, suddenly upon us." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon quick march!" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds might help us?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "By train from Waterloo." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the client, rising. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day jewels which you have stolen?' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. round with crates and massive boxes. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I don't say that. Perhaps." "The landlord of the Alpha." society." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there lost nothing by them." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and will take you up to see the machine.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. with you?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep who was a member of your goose club." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in bill, which interests me deeply." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in throat." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked himself to hunt down. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. jewels which you have stolen?' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "No, thank goodness, she did not." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and your relations to her." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'What do you call purely nominal?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely me." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to passage and a tap at the door. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The rest you will leave in our hands." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'As governess?' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your at my own good fortune. as he remarks, very much against the son." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with despair." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that crime." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the late." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked generous with you in money matters.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and the church but not where the lady lived." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy everything which you would wish to know." 1.E.9. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble served to weaken the effect. The King stared at him in amazement. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found case before our client came into the room." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hour?' "I have a cab outside." "Then I shall certainly come." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end when your master had gone out." your billet.' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the read it out to me." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a III. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "To an end?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I think it very unlikely." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I overpowering excitement and concern. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he