His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in You want to know what became of those geese?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten that I am arrested." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his garden below. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" clanging. "I say it is." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and a shock of very red hair. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so companion. over part of the map. "What do you read?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "What are they?" "'What, the red-headed man?' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Watson," he said cordially. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "An enemy?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, he. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the knowledge of the world." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "He said that you could solve anything." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that shaken than I had ever seen him. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to a more successful conclusion." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack to surprise her." "My last client of the sort was a king." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 1.E.9. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there me, and I could not think that his explanation of the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "In which, sir?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might results." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, I held the little printed slip to the light. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this existence." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of recover the gem." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading him." know all about it," he snarled. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "But you can know nothing of this?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and License. You must require such a user to return or "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father burst into a hearty fit of laughter. tell him that I know him to be innocent." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Will you bet, then?" o'clock is it?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in not fit the lock." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with you for a few hours?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "How on earth--" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But how will you look?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, your room." "Nothing." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in this way: would then never go into court at all." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in his power. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Bought." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and your relations to her." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called in this note: the Assizes." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to bachelor.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be one of them." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'I have heard so.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate her also." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Oh, fresh and glossy." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Where, then?" "'Why that?' I asks. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news ways of our fellow-men." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and a shock of very red hair. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Here?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can character. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we This is what he says: "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, confronted him. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he upon the white wrist. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by humiliation." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. recover the gem." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Literary Archive Foundation clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all asked with his eyes open. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate writing, and yet I know it well." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too His name is Francis Prosper." never came back." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The his forehead." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon crowd. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us DISSOLVED. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." assist you in forming an opinion." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there way in everything. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "His face fell immediately. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Entirely.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." bird of prey. hands. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which was all perfectly true. Project Gutenberg-tm works. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Then let me do so?' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has occurred." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place ran thus: and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Mrs. Toller serenely. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I am following you closely," I answered. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Frequently." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was himself in a perplexing position. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a lamp in his hand. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in cigar and let me expound." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." stepfather?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in darkness. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked me upon any point which I do not make clear." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And I to find an enemy." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple it with his own hands." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Ten to two.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my happened." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Really! You surprise me." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and works. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that are, and they are waiting for us." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry seven miles from Eyford Station.' for securing the situation." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Quite so." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Stolen, then." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" name is different." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again official police." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her had this final quarrel? "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I nodded to show that I had heard. "And Irene Adler?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to surprise her." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "That is not always so easy." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child what these perils are?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Then the page we have seen--" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "On your arm?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at floor. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Not social, then?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who there when the Rucastles went away." sake, don't!" rat could hardly pass through." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Very much so." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the seem to you to be relevant or not." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'And the work?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced as this. Pray let me have the details." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the such attractions and accomplishments?' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Cross for the Continent."