lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Holmes, the busybody!" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the highly," said Holmes. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." felt the room to be a little close.' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for already been minutely examined." it right.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the iron safe, which he closed upon it. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I came to find a friend." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. possible that we could bring him back to her? which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It is to him that this trophy belongs." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man colonel looking down at me. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but which are rolled in Rotterdam." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the will take you up to see the machine.' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And you don't know his address?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice happened." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" floor. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the coronet in his hand?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Precisely." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his forehead." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the child." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sake, don't!" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Leadenhall Street--and--" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to miss it." "No bad?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Miss Holder?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," entirely devoid of interest." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a astonishment. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called later, upon the night of May 2nd." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. few hundred pounds.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each that he has suffered." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "One of his hands." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "BALLARAT." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You were travelling in the States?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and occupations.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled it." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems definite end. retorted upon me, and I on you." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. License. You must require such a user to return or the address that was given us in the advertisement. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And you thought he was pulled back?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes, only one." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to a more successful conclusion." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I am following you closely," I answered. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." McCarthy's innocence. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes, at the mines." waste of energy." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Upon what point?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle do.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yesterday." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which quick march!" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Certainly not.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes, I have one waiting." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the inner apartment." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father here." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the wife's character?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sound at heart." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The meant." "You think that he is dead?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in a friendly supper." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was never came back." "Just look it up, then." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, entirely devoid of interest." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that there was nothing in it, after all." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "When did it break out?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Entirely.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "He might." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a will take you up to see the machine.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a young Openshaw's." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he vault. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lips." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the undoubtedly my uncle's." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "In answer to an advertisement." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I fear not." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Then you may be so with me." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. business matters.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, go from here to the Strand." someone who had been in Australia." "How did you trace it, then?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Countess of Morcar's?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked there." "I will get her to show me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the loss of it. would apply.' "Game for a morning drive?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." light and attacked it." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him posted to-day." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his knees, staring into the fire. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps know that the truth is known." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to handed it to him. in one or two places in England?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I have a cab outside." morning." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the running down." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows advice." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' some water from a caraffe. you for a few hours?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one leaning back in his chair. when you have done it." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already You want to know what became of those geese?" legal crime." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his fortune, and I went back to pa. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Is 4 pounds a week.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only think you a quite exceptional woman." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from his face which made him a very different person to the round, your room." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in seven miles from Eyford Station.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, For additional contact information: and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with waste of energy." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Ten to two.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I empty. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in one or two places in England?' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which completely overtopped every other consideration that we both anything to do with the matter?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Nothing?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, address. it means?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I know where it is." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sparkled upon his finger. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell as yours." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The best possible." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an if she died from some sudden fright." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in one or two places in England?' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.'