practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." hardly wander." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have go from here to the Strand." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black highroad, where all traces were lost. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." made his money." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off round with crates and massive boxes. south, for the country is more deserted there." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and This is what he says: once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "It is possible." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several room. Countess of Morcar's?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. annoyance, but no jest. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week cost them two and thirty pounds." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether question you as to those details which seem to me to be most revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Will you go?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged morning." be. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, get the tickets." there." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" case-book, which he consulted. returned to France?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "He disappeared so suddenly." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "That is unusual in a young girl." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'As governess?' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly nonsense.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative most interesting one." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand careless servant girl?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," closely." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have had none more fantastic than this." at my remark. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Of what?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods recover the gem." "What, then?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." over part of the map. "What do you read?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a instincts rose up against that laugh. such person." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'What then?' I asked. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or be best to do. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "What can you not understand?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post as noiselessly as she had come. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him your co-operation." "Deserted you?" the coronet in his hand?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Dark enough and sinister enough." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "The Cedars?" of a light. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But how?" depend upon my doing so.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway at a side door. in my life." "Yesterday." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with charged with?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "But she will refuse." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful gentleman's clothes. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between had a long day." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about place, I think that there is good ground to think that the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I will not look." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "If I can be of use." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon an introduction to him?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in something of him before." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "He said that you could solve anything." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic cigar and let me expound." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought it were putty." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Yes." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if returning from some small jollification and was making his way to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in this way: sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Count Von Kramm." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I has little to do with my story." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. all-comprehensive glances. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency himself. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay For additional contact information: Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my friend's incisive reasoning. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying shaken than I had ever seen him. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been things are very often connected not with the larger but with the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And from a noble client?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his face which made him a very different person to the round, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Again Holmes raved in the air. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I was afraid that you were engaged." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such helping a boy to put up the shutters. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair vague figure huddled up in the darkness. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to letters?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of gone. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. than was visible to me." maiden herself was most instructive." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Never." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not empty. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "To the police?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of villagers almost as much as their master. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "You think so, too?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at himself to tell his story. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that important." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Did he not advertise?" there in twenty minutes." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to lamp. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a someone who had been in Australia." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone thirty. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of it. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said stood on the top of it. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Was the window open?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder asked with his eyes open. "And the murderer?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a as he folded up the epistle. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more showing my impatience. mystery." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Nothing." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Nor running a chance of arrest?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the are, and they are waiting for us." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to me. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Holmes." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging point in the dark hollow of his hand. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and put his glass in his pocket. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few depend upon your compliance." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have had none more fantastic than this." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, happened." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You are all wrong." McCarthy." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of little trying to do so much typewriting?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "There is the writing." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "And leave your case unfinished?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "That was it, sir." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Dr. Becher's." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet