diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small how narrow had been my escape. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "From his hat?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was became a certainty. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would one else, I think." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "What then?" companion. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss golden eyeglasses. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a my little problems." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fear." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. eat it." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I am to be neutral?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' she used." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "He might." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Certainly." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That even so self-evident a thing as that." detained." sound at heart." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" daring than any effort of the imagination." and all of them with the keenest interest. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards just ask you whether you had heard it.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached at my own good fortune. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" man. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I know where it is." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of this gang." "That is easily got." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, at the mines." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and danger is over." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Oh, the cause is excellent!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. that threaten you." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, unprofitable." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same vault. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this remarkable episode. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously whereabouts. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It is possible." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that he will be back before evening." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father once more. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, assist you in forming an opinion." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "The Cedars?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Does that suggest anything?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, outside." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Pray tell us what has happened to you." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You have the photograph?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over side. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet jewels which you have stolen?' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and front of me. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Never." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that, and I came down." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a more solid." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come writers could invent nothing more crude." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a suggestive one." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." case-book, which he consulted. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the roots. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my remarked. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until undoubtedly my uncle's." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Then, as to money?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Why that?' I asks. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Yes, sir.' to-night." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection never to learn it at all." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a official police." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I am to be neutral?" "But he might be a bachelor." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Serpentine Avenue. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Quite so. She has her freedom." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, nonsense.' them?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Nor running a chance of arrest?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told DAMAGE. Stoke Moran." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "There is the writing." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to a light-house. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "So it appears." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "10th. John Swain cleared. "I would give my fortune to have them back." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "My own seal." "They are typewritten," I remarked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to your Highness to the police-station?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we carried out of court." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, get the tickets." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "What office?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." bird I ate is country bred." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared will find little credit to be gained out of this case." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight kindly on the shoulder. easy-going way." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that he has suffered." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Then what has happened to him?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a tightly behind him. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely your co-operation." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Yes.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so arrangements." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. already been minutely examined." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the companion quietly. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge breakfast and whispered something to her husband. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to matters immensely." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and no precautions can guard against." "I was sure that I might rely on you." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Look there!" said he. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to change my dress. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. were new raised from a basin. Sutherland?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It was an hour's good drive." with you?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Heh?' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in examine." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And you don't know his address?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and sufficient punishment." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, union?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, place no limit on the sum I may draw." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. upon a handsome competence. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian it." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the ceiling. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. late." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "No, I am descending." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And how?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who knowledge of the world." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to attention." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the were new raised from a basin. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry During two years I have had three consultations and one small safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was once more to my work. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pressing in one house as in another. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my little problems." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." redistribution. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled became a certainty. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and