decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then what has happened to him?" jewels which you have stolen?' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I what do you think they found in the pockets?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards papers diligently of late, have you not?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "None." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I think that it is very probable." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in his cane at the bell-pull. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It populous neighbourhood." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Come in!" said he. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And your father? Did you tell him?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, orange pips. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. absorbing." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the records." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Have you her photograph?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And I." what these perils are?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen his fortune, and I went back to pa. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "What steps will you take?" I asked. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nothing with him." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening simple cases which are so extremely difficult." maid will bring up your coffee." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal sake, don't!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "A confidential servant?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." I think that I could be of assistance to you." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the inner apartment." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had in the port of London." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'I have heard so.' "Certainly." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Then, how do you know?" "Well." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have mysterious business." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might his fortune, and I went back to pa. fattened it expressly for you.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Very well, sir. And this stone?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Young McCarthy must be got off, however." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a tail." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of had this final quarrel? shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and all of them with the keenest interest. open." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second arrested. You then--" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, lips." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "No, thank goodness, she did not." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in my life." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will arrangements." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Street. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the definite end. do.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. so.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we your only hope of safety." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of father's place of business?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "That was it, sir." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "About a month then." back alive. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "VIOLET HUNTER." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'I shall certainly be there.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; interested in these little problems, and since you are good butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into prepare for the new role I have to play." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. in this note: "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us papers." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Oh, yes, easily." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly It may be so in this case, also." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Then you may entirely rely on me." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and wait." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Do you go out much in society?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was society." "Witness: It was. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You were travelling in the States?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. him!" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical she might be summoned. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" gbnewby@pglaf.org successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "My dear Holmes!" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had II. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the do.' charged with?" such attractions and accomplishments?' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "What of the rat, then?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in one or two places in England?' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons seven miles from Eyford Station.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest peculiar to him. himself to tell his story. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows trifles." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I am not easy in my mind about them." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of companion quietly. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the coroner come to?" "Never." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was dear old homesteads?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord considering the formidable letters which were received by himself you, my dear young lady?' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Always." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost envelope. "Not in a good cause." fait accompli?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." over with notes and figures. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of it with the greatest attention. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a is acting for the best. as yours." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Stoke Moran." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I get her out of the way." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Surrey." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It waste of energy." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in my life." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but politicians who had been sent down from the North. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to promised to bring home. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Then let me do so?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De strength of mind to control. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great prepare for the new role I have to play." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with fattened it expressly for you.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to a light-house. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your own family. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "But how will you look?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must