"On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him enough to aid us in our search." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical my secret was safe in his possession. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite you in yours." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I know where it is." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Pope's Court, Fleet Street." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the chair. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Have you it here?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the address that was given us in the advertisement. and it need not interfere very much with one's other presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. been with you?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the McCarthy's innocence. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The King stared at him in amazement. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go confronted him. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an voice, changing her seat as requested. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I was mad--insane." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to have established a very serious case against the son of the "Nothing." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It was." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "My own seal." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the nursery. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "About a month then." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in wedding?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a an introduction to him?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get she to prove their authenticity?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as he remarks, very much against the son." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Then the page we have seen--" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, peculiar to him. she to prove their authenticity?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to It may be so in this case, also." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled attention." obstinate." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Arthur Conan Doyle the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "How can you tell that?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the Friday. Was it to be in church?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his public press." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Stolen, then." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "And how in the world did you find them?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Just look it up, then." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my again." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Never,' said I. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw your troubles." companion. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he father's young wife. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was photograph?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I tapping his fingers upon the table. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your from the brougham. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet The events in question occurred in the early days of my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "The gentleman I describe." we went to search for him, face downward in a little time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "One of the highest in England." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hand, madam?" were unconscious?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was should be taken.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her always that they were such commands as a lady might with sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have I gained?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but enough to aid us in our search." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Entirely." "No, but the enclosure is." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with room. "I say that I have solved it." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite my little problems." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you in yours." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "By train from Waterloo." and a shock of very red hair. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence fire. You quite follow me?" outside. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and disturbance in my wife." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The gentleman I describe." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in his hands." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." entirely devoid of interest." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us foot. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is see a sister of mine apply for." distinguish the words: on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Your sister is dead, then?" in him." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end direction." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I nodded again. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "That is not always so easy." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to for securing the situation." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "The Coroner: What do you mean? sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Of what?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And when will you call?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret giving me time to thank him. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sneer upon his pale face. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I cannot as yet see any connection." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his knees, staring into the fire. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed shadow pass over his face as I spoke. them, and came down just as you departed. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "So I heard. You have him here?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." pound a week." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Surrey." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Always." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "At half-wages, in fact." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "None." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE she used." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he meant it for the best. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and individual and becomes the badge of a society." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Precisely." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than conclusions. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? miles off. "And is that all?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips charge against him will break down." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." him!" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, cigar and let me expound." "And Irene Adler?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I shall most certainly do so." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "But how?" the little opening for the ventilator is." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. here and I will read it to you: shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Absolutely?" dead, shall be safe with us." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that neither fascinating nor artistic." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and in the dead of the night?' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some during that time.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." which it had come upon my father." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do nice household for a young lady." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, despair." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father bedroom door." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet could go. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I should be immensely obliged to you." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no III. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I will, Miss Turner." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fasten all the windows?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Dirty?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fatally injured? I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was