Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from figure." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Nor running a chance of arrest?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' amused." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I should be taken.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "What, then?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Lee, in the county of Kent." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the devil!" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" orange pips. least a most suspicious remark." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Have you it here?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it populous neighbourhood." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the letters?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere dramatic, in fact." "That also I could fathom." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is locked." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "9th. McCauley cleared. asked. "How many? I don't know." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped key turn in the lock." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the driver. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, not, dad?" she asked. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking once more to my work. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. prepare for the new role I have to play." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I cannot think." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal What do you deduce from it?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of campaign. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Yes." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one where Mr. Fordham shows you.' great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "One of the highest in England." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Heh?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother hour." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the an introduction to him?" enough to aid us in our search." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "How did you trace it, then?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he she used." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep letters?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, approach us with offers to donate. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And what did you see?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year you in yours." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that threaten you." have not had my rubber." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I answered that I had not. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow more solid." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What then?" "To ruin me." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a up this clue while it is still hot." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." is acting for the best. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the very morning of the wedding." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that I am arrested." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated stammered. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the devil!" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of happened." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to you in yours." from you?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sufficient punishment." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no served to weaken the effect. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "How are you getting on?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Again Holmes raved in the air. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from danger is over." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "We were both in the photograph." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "But what is it you wish?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Thank you. And your address?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly tassel actually lying upon the pillow. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to change my dress. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell respectable self." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And why?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." some city in a dream. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to upon an income of about 60 pounds." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others your own bird, so if you wish--" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: 11:15.' asked. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Dr. Gregory B. Newby ourselves in the office." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel kindly on the shoulder. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle ourselves in the office." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you disappearance of these gems?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem sound at heart." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Not social, then?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And did you observe any change in her then?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. kind enough to tell me what I should do." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" help us in this matter." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Mary, has deserted me." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "But how?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was jewels which you have stolen?' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ashen face. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Absolutely none." "And when will you call?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" cup of tea. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I never have." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in your most interesting statement." with the outside air!" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect started for the Temple to see my husband. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "The best possible." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, depend upon your compliance." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, writing, and yet I know it well." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "What steps will you take?" I asked. and no precautions can guard against." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go you found me to-night--and running through the front room she glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of fine shops and stately business premises that they really A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when upon the white wrist. it." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, but China?" if only as a check to my own memory." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his figure." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Can I be of assistance?" "My private note-paper." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to tell." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I beg pardon." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for miles off. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent examination of the premises, but without finding anything which America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't done what I asked you, Jones?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish or in danger--" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It surprised me." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of enter Dr. Roylott's room." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the take the flies, but not before." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What of the rat, then?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "My stepfather's business papers." little adventures." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I only touch the interest." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up were unconscious?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Frequently." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This do you make of it all?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "The knees of his trousers." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only than was visible to me." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." man. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." gentleman's clothes. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Again Holmes raved in the air. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no new duties?' "And why?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No legal papers or certificates?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "A call for help, you thought?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "You horrify me!" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured would apply.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to affect your life." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a