brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Certainly,' I answered. "What do you make of that, Watson?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Where could I find him?' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in at my remark. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the fishes. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more eat it." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Street. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and capable of preserving a secret.' heavy and sharp instrument." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the lectures into a series of tales." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Where does the thing come from?' do.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "How did he come?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Dirty?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO like that before?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, The summons was a brief and urgent one. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'What, the red-headed man?' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I nonsense.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And what did you see?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered affection." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The mystery." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly any little problem which you may submit to me." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that, and I came down." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I already referred to. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, photograph a cabinet?" to-night?' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, some hundreds of times." my special province." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. quite distinctive." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid waste of energy." I took the paper from him and read as follows: landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I will do it." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "What will you say?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I cannot tell." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue acted in my house last night?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What?" any little problem which you may submit to me." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "They are typewritten," I remarked. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your you came in." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in again on its way. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in learned something! Where are the gems?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some are, I think, all that we need." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has showing my impatience. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are visitors." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and that you saw all that I did." Where does the thing come from?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was in darkness. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to affect your life." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger remarked. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "From his hat?" would apply.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Just look it up, then." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from was a perfect sample of the class. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is unprofitable." putting in the horse. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and for the market.' do." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What then?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He said that you could solve anything." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and that he would see to anything that turned up. one else, I think." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I question. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings confronted him. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "But what will you do?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "The Coroner: What do you mean? upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and one which it was hard to resist. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked into the bag, and made for the door. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature compunction about shooting them down." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the window, rose as we entered. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and effective." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." attention." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the despair." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." at home. paper in the air. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then what has happened to him?" to a more successful conclusion." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that had died away into the silence from which it rose. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "If I can be of use." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. once more. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest my special province." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "From his hat?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "BALLARAT." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but his face. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his himself to hunt down. mysterious business." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Certainly." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the running down." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they interests were the same as his." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Then how many are there?" "Nothing?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a what is your own theory as to what took place?" DISSOLVED. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and her also." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he affair. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with neither fascinating nor artistic." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "At the wedding breakfast." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let gigantic client. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Very truly yours, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and awaited us upon the table. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I certainly do as you advise." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been late!' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our deduce something from that?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that to-night's adventure." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all problems help me to do so." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all as yours." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, throat." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." congratulate you again." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Then let me do so?' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "A call for help, you thought?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that reach." sparkled upon his finger. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity locked. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You will not go there first?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I cannot tell." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, but only for you and me." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Then you may be so with me." already been minutely examined." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the cause to be." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one The telegram which we eventually received came late one night How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when weighed down with some great anxiety. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "VIOLET HUNTER." it means?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had this final quarrel? laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said bearing upon the case." some terrible trap for her." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was a lad." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not