married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their main points of my analysis." "Where did he live, then?" you." wanted for ourselves." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, where we are going." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of kind enough to tell me what I should do." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be your own bird, so if you wish--" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" The events in question occurred in the early days of my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the coronet at all injured?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, note?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Very. But will he see it?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Ten to two.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But what harm can there be in that?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now touch that coronet?' he died? "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales all-comprehensive glances. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet colour had been driven from his face. skylight. "A call for help, you thought?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that I am arrested." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and all of them with the keenest interest. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I think it very unlikely." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. might help us?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled behind me. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's way in everything. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of she used." "But how?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Did you become engaged then?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the morning and make my own way in the world.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute writers could invent nothing more crude." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I returning from some small jollification and was making his way poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian approach us with offers to donate. few hundred pounds.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Precisely so. But how--" "I shall most certainly do so." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." these bleak autumnal evenings." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself some city in a dream. note?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Holmes' thin, eager face. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at business?" to talk it over. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "The rest you will leave in our hands." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I shall most certainly do so." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal interested in these little problems, and since you are good here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his eyes and forehead. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "My dear Holmes!" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." delirious. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double DISSOLVED. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "And sit in the dark?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It's nothing of the kind." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "None. Neville wrote those words." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the what I may call a really hard day's work." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler pressing in one house as in another. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Where, then?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The best possible." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord interests were the same as his." enter Dr. Roylott's room." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my once more for Briony Lodge. "Stoke Moran?" said he. mysterious end." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You think so, too?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the south-west, I see." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Where to?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his matters immensely." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I promise," said Holmes. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. call the police, let the police find what they can.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "The murder was done with it." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and laid it on the table. "I say that I have solved it." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." matter." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "On Monday." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "She will not sell." "I never have." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a against a man in the prime of life?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means until night should bring an explanation. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near neither fascinating nor artistic." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the one as in the other." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can upon an income of about 60 pounds." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I with her." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'I am sure if I had known--' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the little opening for the ventilator is." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You know me, then?" "That's no good." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You think so, too?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything speckled band?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And from a noble client?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the very morning of the wedding." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes." had this final quarrel? he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. he. at once, for I have only half an hour." bearing upon the case." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when which I could not give. He asked for Alice. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "My Mary? Impossible!" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during comes from the middle window." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Pray continue your narrative." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his knees, staring into the fire. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was it brought him the coronet? "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cause to be." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well?" envelope. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he bearing upon the case." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital what is your own theory as to what took place?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." shaken than I had ever seen him. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird other lovers by making love himself." the south-west, I see." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I was sure that I might rely on you." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. crime. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hour?' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "How many? I don't know." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your your co-operation." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in whether it answered to the description of any of their to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the train.' him!" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I will get her to show me." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I have seen the police." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his meant it for the best. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some generous with you in money matters.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. round with crates and massive boxes. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the best of training." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread tightly behind him. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the nursery. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for good-night and bustled off upon her way. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the society." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had dead, shall be safe with us." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. me. You must get home instantly and act." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'I am sure if I had known--' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of on in his house." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "He is still with you, I presume?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you as yours." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Not particularly." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the page at http://pglaf.org determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the my special province." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of II. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Only as much as we can deduce." and your relations to her." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main her also." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant any little problem which you may submit to me." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I am all attention, madam." "At what time?" the coroner come to?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you him." "Of Friday, June 19th." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'Certainly not.' "When did it break out?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip charge against him will break down." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yesterday." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I that there was nothing in it, after all." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and him. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the