confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his face which made him a very different person to the round, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock whereabouts. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood maiden herself was most instructive." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "No good news?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the coronet at all injured?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Seven!" I answered. you." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her said he, "my real name is James Ryder." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'There is a drive, then?' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Because he was handy and would come cheap." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. following enigmatical notices: will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in a friendly supper." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the Assizes." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the best of training." your Highness to the police-station?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" works. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Eh? What was that?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat four million human beings all jostling each other within the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of Mr. Rucastle's." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was lame." to tackle the facts." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love London for the present?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven there." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. of this gang." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the absorbing." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Upon what point?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the long narrative. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or him." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other shaken than I had ever seen him. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour occurred." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not over part of the map. "What do you read?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I lamp. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Oh, fresh and glossy." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, chambers. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and it need not interfere very much with one's other now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I have it here in my museum." undoubtedly my uncle's." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gbnewby@pglaf.org have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bell. Holmes whistled. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve ventilator." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and it need not interfere very much with one's other Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across weighed down with some great anxiety. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Where, then?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Not in the least." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm was the fact that his father should, according to his account, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "None." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms visitors." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What, then?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, photograph a cabinet?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your guilty one." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have acted in my house last night?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and capable of preserving a secret.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "By no means." intrusion of other matters." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in will take you up to see the machine.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I memory. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hair?' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen learned something! Where are the gems?" "Ah!" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he that bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I I have it here in my museum." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased locked. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in companion quietly. I was concerned in it." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the maid will bring up your coffee." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She imbecility!" he cried. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of own family. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I nodded again. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Breckinridge is his name." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she During two years I have had three consultations and one small out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Yes, certainly." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately entirely lost his self-respect." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question when you have done it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "No." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, might help us?" "And your mother is alive?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark young Openshaw's." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young as he remarks, very much against the son." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in intrusion of other matters." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the been deceived." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the signal between you and your father? bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any maiden herself was most instructive." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it unkempt, staring out at me. was already answered. felt?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came entirely devoid of interest." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing dear old homesteads?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney might have a private word with us. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Eyford at 11:15.' "ARAT," I read. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Have you her photograph?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and no precautions can guard against." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added for the market.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' for the market.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural It was close upon four before the door opened, and a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without outside." "VIOLET HUNTER." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to some other building. "'You cannot say what it was?' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. call for it in person on Monday morning.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, know what is wrong with it.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Stolen!' he cried. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Very much so." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Count Von Kramm." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was already answered. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Precisely." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion your Highness to the police-station?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Yes. He waved his hands." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. confronted him. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly infinite languor in his face. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Eyford." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Is purely nominal.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are here and I will read it to you: American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned letters?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the