crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Certainly." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. absorbing." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of against a man in the prime of life?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that once more to my work. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at article?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. ways of our fellow-men." security.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort again before evening." "How often?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that which are rolled in Rotterdam." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day crowd. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to where he stood hid behind the curtain. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the lips." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the on in his house." conduct the inquiry." lamp in his hand. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the look dissatisfied." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice when your master had gone out." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "That sounds a little paradoxical." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "What! Had he lost his wife?" For additional contact information: suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his tightly behind him. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to arrive at through this?" residence of the great financier. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He acted in my house last night?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the room while you explain this matter?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "He might." already referred to. "I don't say that. Perhaps." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a not, dad?" she asked. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "How did that help you?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Very murderous indeed." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Tell me all about it,' said I. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No sign of it?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help go from here to the Strand." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Sutherland. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence carpenter." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do could not have written that. It is the German who is so Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, case before our client came into the room." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, outsides of the windows. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he purpose equally well?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I guessed as much." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was mysterious business." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards States. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Yes." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I do." "And that is--" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not troubles have been weighing upon his mind. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing his knees, staring into the fire. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our but preventing her from injuring another. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "To an end?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in a very precise fashion." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to a light-house. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What will you do, then?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem do you make of it all?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the narrative." photograph a cabinet?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Precisely so. But how--" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "That you are never beaten." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Who by?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Very. But will he see it?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up call it cruel." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he said he. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to have that photograph." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" wall." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Ha! you find it so?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Murdered?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge my little problems." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Yesterday." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "We must have a cab." "And how did you verify them?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sutherland. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I leave." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Certainly." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "The best possible." "I was mad--insane." into the bag, and made for the door. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and during that time.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "No more words. Get out!" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of prepare for the new role I have to play." "I fear not." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Then you may be so with me." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "VIOLET HUNTER." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was tear off another piece?' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was character. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Breckinridge is his name." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a business." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Was he the only applicant?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round be. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Ah!" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf second window is the one that I jumped from." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "How did you trace it, then?" his cane at the bell-pull. indeed happy." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I am not easy in my mind about them." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from down in his armchair and closing his eyes. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her fatally injured? arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Very murderous indeed." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of maid will bring up your coffee." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic since then to throw any light upon what became of him." fact, we may call it conclusive." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "So I heard. You have him here?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Then let me do so?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon it." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open affair. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I should wish to." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the bottom.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "My Mary? Impossible!" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be obstinate." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "What shall I do?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'Yes, it was gone.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. here." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "No. His orders were to stay in the house." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. prison!" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'No, I know no one in these parts.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, looking up at the numbers of the houses." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope,