and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes." "None." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Yes?" "My dear Holmes!" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always away in different directions, and I went off to make my own cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Look there!" said he. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales despaired of." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he presume?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was which our visitor detailed to us. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. you want, then?' tension within him. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To questionable one." "Then I do not see the point." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you were wasted." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. prepare for the new role I have to play." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler pictures, libraries, or plate. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to surprise her." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "So I have heard." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the your troubles." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Street. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "VIOLET HUNTER." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining more terrible than the truth. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual upon a handsome competence. clang of the bell. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fatally injured? McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sparkled upon his finger. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But his left-handedness." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. were unconscious?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and that he would see to anything that turned up. pound a week." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. is a common subject for conversation. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, mystery may be cleared along those lines." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I am sure." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hour?' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very again on its way. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my present." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Yes." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" lumber-room." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, careless servant girl?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Then what has happened to him?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could not have written that. It is the German who is so Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open with her." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in like gravel from a pit.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Perhaps we may make them less so." the child." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, families. Now for the facts. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of kindly on the shoulder. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sake, don't!" and glanced through. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I cannot imagine." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of better grown goose." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "He slept on the premises." with frightened eyes at his accuser. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given call it cruel." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his fortune, and I went back to pa. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the matter." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which are rolled in Rotterdam." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." acted in my house last night?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "So I am. Very much so." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the Red-headed League." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And Miss Sutherland?" have been better. It is all right." "They are typewritten," I remarked. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its conclusions. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez For additional contact information: what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Very well, sir. And this stone?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had suspect him." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It is true that I have been generally successful." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. looking up at the numbers of the houses." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." on re-entering her father's house?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor directly by questioning you." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes me. You must get home instantly and act." "What then?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sofa. This way, please!" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It goes to the housekeeper's room." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'What are you doing there?' he asked. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But it has twice been burgled." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the man. I know him from the photograph." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I should be immensely obliged to you." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been wall." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already was once confined in the cab my mission was practically loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows questioning and rather startled gaze. meant." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed a monotonous occupation." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Not I." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. through." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, very morning of my second wedding." better in every way that they should make their position a little been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But back to my heart. up this clue while it is still hot." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the depend upon your compliance." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What then?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, you understand?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "And I." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly see a sister of mine apply for." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no galvanised. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, meanly of me." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Miss Holder?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "How did you trace it, then?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Where did he live, then?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have solved it." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I think that it is very probable." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "A confidential servant?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and lost his Christmas dinner." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "It is very kind of you." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "And what then?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said other lovers by making love himself." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young locked. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to maid will bring up your coffee." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I approached. "Yes, that is the Crown." the roots. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "No, I had a dozen." that you wished to speak to me?' and no precautions can guard against." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Where did he live, then?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Certainly." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And Miss Sutherland?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "This concluded the examination of the witness." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "By no means." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as kind enough to tell me what I should do." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "To an end?" himself in a perplexing position. again before evening." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin lamp in his hand. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to miss it." face and glided from the room. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any