that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up married her." closely." fashion which was peculiar to him. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Absolutely?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the inquest, and which are worth considering." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it place no limit on the sum I may draw." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "But of what society?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to arrive at through this?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." locked. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And I." ordinary clothes on?" disappearance of the bride.'" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the side-table." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "And your mother is alive?" views." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are perplexity from it to my illustrious client. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "So I am. Very much so." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Oh, yes, easily." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite have established a very serious case against the son of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You have but to name it." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Pope's Court. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Is he quiet?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, views." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the devil!" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic business matters.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shall use the carriage to-night." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Perfectly so." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "One of the highest in England." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a them?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. you understand?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as coat-tails." man. I know him from the photograph." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Entirely." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It missed him, then?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "No?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He said that you could solve anything." any little problem which you may submit to me." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and noble correspondent could be. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Doctor, of the paper and the date." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" rat could hardly pass through." depend upon your compliance." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. know what is wrong with it.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." nights." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my acted in my house last night?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be your equipment. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before what I may call a really hard day's work." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out purpose equally well?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm union?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he girl said." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is purpose equally well?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the shaken than I had ever seen him. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "That is also quite modern," said the lady. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too too. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which our visitor detailed to us. the coronet in his hands?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Stoke Moran." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "He is still with you, I presume?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I would give my fortune to have them back." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And your mother is alive?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, only one." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that him nearly every evening." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole What do you deduce from it?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I see no marks." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who not, dad?" she asked. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "When did it break out?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to said he. ventilator." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but murdered man." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Did you become engaged then?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that quickly through a disagreeable task. Street. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Only as much as we can deduce." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'And the work?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "What then?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The landlord of the Alpha." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I do." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "To ruin me." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I cannot imagine." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of Fenchurch Street." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to miss it." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation with you alone." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Certainly not. But why?' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "But she could not love him." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at will take you up to see the machine.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I indiscretion." again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And what then?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then you may be so with me." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Then how many are there?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single ventilator." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have my revolver," said I. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I took the paper from him and read as follows: which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You absolutely follow my advice in every respect." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Will you go?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Ample." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "My opinion is in no way altered." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of digesting their breakfasts at home." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I nodded to show that I had heard. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from possible that we could bring him back to her? narrative." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door night.' said he. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It looks newer than the other things?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I cannot think." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I was certainly surprised to find you there." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my congenial hunt. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. jewels which you have stolen?' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You horrify me." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his room had already been engaged for us. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be experiences." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a monotonous occupation." your co-operation." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 1.F. "And who is her maid?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." answered with a sidelong glance. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in felt?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Witness: I must still refuse. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter will he say when he returns?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is purpose equally well?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down think, you have already met." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from you?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a then?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, an introduction to him?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no his face. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of this gang." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Of what?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms