"I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of this gang." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible remarked. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of a light. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "What will you say?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Has he come with you to-night?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "My own seal." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by least a fellow-countryman. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "This photograph!" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seen the man in the road." "'Is purely nominal.' over with notes and figures. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Sutherland. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is solved." province." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It's nothing of the kind." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Never." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "9th. McCauley cleared. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment here and I will read it to you: "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some could not account in any way for the presence of the missing There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. deduce something from that?" residence of the great financier. where we are going." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it together. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." is four-and-twenty." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, asked. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'I am sure if I had known--' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his chill to my heart. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." which was all perfectly true. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in but preventing her from injuring another. peculiar to him. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a village inn over there?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in go back?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, your co-operation." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, that is the Crown." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Entirely." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I cannot imagine." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was mystery." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large sofa. This way, please!" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come direction." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." posted to-day." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in darkness. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself any." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And who is her maid?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. clang of the bell. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "No, I think that I'll take it." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the London for the present?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. for securing the situation." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the roused himself from his reverie. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in this note: "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his sake, don't!" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Then let me do so?' second window is the one that I jumped from." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot putting in the horse. take the flies, but not before." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Never." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more II. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the retorted upon me, and I on you." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought than was visible to me." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Not I." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each writers could invent nothing more crude." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, away to you." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And what then?" manager. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been away into the river." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in his cane at the bell-pull. "And what did you learn from him?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and the church but not where the lady lived." the so-precious time, but come!' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony towards the blaze. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it friends, not even his own brother. him. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the desk. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "But how?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Then I do not see the point." "It came here." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not them, and came down just as you departed. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in highroad, where all traces were lost. himself. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What! You do not mean bodies?" opportunities to fix the problem. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. into the room. four million human beings all jostling each other within the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Of what?" "And the cigar-holder?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hour?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his whether it answered to the description of any of their believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that?' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "But what will you do?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and wait." there when the Rucastles went away." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Eh? What was that?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "At what time?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I nodded again. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and window when the police appeared." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Witness: I must still refuse. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from outside. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as tassel actually lying upon the pillow. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences locked. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the window when the police appeared." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "BALLARAT." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. my room." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally writer." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to tension within him. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. see a sister of mine apply for." "Get out!" said he. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter down. "It's nothing of the kind." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Have you good authority for what you say?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation said I. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. ran thus: "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or other lovers by making love himself." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a situation." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Your sister is dead, then?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but some city in a dream. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "But not more so than I to find you." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand it right.' "'How far from the body?' "And what did you see?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "How many? I don't know." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I leave." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and there when the Rucastles went away." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That is easily got." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be drawing your inferences." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of