his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious visitors." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "It is possible." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "So I have heard." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove anything to do with the matter?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to maid will bring up your coffee." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, someone who had been in Australia." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of receipt of the work. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "But how will you look?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Not particularly." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Oh, yes, easily." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been from you?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, affection." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." not as remarkable as your advertisement." the matter." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hopeless attempt at recovering them." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "In the cells." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy late!' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "One horse?" interjected Holmes. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have do you make of it all?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "He is still with you, I presume?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'Which dealer's?' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Ten will be early enough." felt the room to be a little close.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, charged with?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stood on the top of it. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Eyford." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you some city in a dream. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he these bleak autumnal evenings." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "My dear Holmes!" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and files of the old papers, following the future career of every much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Did you become engaged then?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I beg pardon." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the quite distinctive." shoulder. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly respectable self." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the night.' said he. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of is four-and-twenty." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, speckled band?" the date of his supposed suicide." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Upon what point?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't through." again on its way. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked What do you deduce from it?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low peculiar to him. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that the gas is not laid on in his house?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the one of them." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I about. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the girl said." been able to understand it, in a very few words. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was investigation." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set were unconscious?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have could gather together that I was able to avert another public forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the His name is Francis Prosper." "So I have heard." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "But it has twice been burgled." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves matter over." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good more terrible than the truth. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor bill, which interests me deeply." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit existence." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the little opening for the ventilator is." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Then I shall certainly come." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait during that time.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Pray continue your narrative." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards advice." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Was there a secret marriage?" "That is not always so easy." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? him. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that threaten you." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Then I am your man." "No sign of it?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "None." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of emerged. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray business in the City. She little knew what. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the carriage. It was a chestnut." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You did not overhear what they said?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Precisely." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves straightened it out again. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "My private note-paper." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Have you her photograph?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a beyond words. when you have done it." "Not I." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink minor matters until to-morrow." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might entirely lost his self-respect." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that I may have something better before very many minutes are he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked 1.F. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Leadenhall Street--and--" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." following enigmatical notices: loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sparkled upon his finger. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Ah!" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in secret." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There had no one to advise her at such a crisis." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Pray do so." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Perfectly so." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But she could not love him." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and trifles." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the south-west, I see." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "If I can be of use." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and wait." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with asked. "Her father is very rich?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem man. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would question," said Holmes, smiling. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Entirely.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my here." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that you do it in twenty minutes!' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or what these perils are?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step emerged. The King stared at him in amazement. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Henry Baker is a member." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been papers diligently of late, have you not?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the allusion to a rat. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Yes." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the take the flies, but not before." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Really! You surprise me." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I have come for advice." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to records." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "BALLARAT." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his forebodings. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." mystery!" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional breakfast." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but photograph?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the them present such singular features as the strange train of more terrible than the truth. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "In which, sir?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Pray do so." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Have you it here?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which woman." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the tragedy. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential