I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I shall be delighted." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hour." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. national property. I was determined that the law should have its successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which it had come upon my father." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: business in the City. She little knew what. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "At the wedding breakfast." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the himself. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an it." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is solved." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle used to be." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My one of them." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in come either from the window or the door. My attention was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the morning and make my own way in the world.' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the be.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Nothing?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. when you have done it." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, possible that we could bring him back to her? hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "He slept on the premises." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend McCarthy's innocence. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and the church but not where the lady lived." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Perhaps I have." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And Miss Sutherland?" towards the blaze. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "What, then, did Peterson do?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the chance at all." suddenly upon us." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I carried out of court." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Young McCarthy must be got off, however." chambers. and it need not interfere very much with one's other accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, think, you have already met." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle public press." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it nothing with him." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and leave you to your papers for a little." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "But how did you gain them?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was it brought him the coronet? the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, father's place of business?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Perhaps I have." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have I gained?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a be.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project sofa. This way, please!" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the if I call to-morrow?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project train from Paddington which would bring you there at about said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project happened." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and chance at all." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest point our research must commence, and we will begin it by in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide down in his armchair and closing his eyes. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the salesman. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No more words. Get out!" "What is it, then--a fire?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that you wished to speak to me?' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his will he say when he returns?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to tell." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger imbecility!" he cried. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Have you it here?" hardly wander." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. never came back." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to that open window." "Here?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who within hail.' "When did she vanish, then?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas him and tried to hold him back. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had questionable one." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father not as remarkable as your advertisement." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Does that suggest anything?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under not come at once?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a clang of the bell. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the coronet at all injured?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would people don't know." himself in a perplexing position. "'Oh, no.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Then how many are there?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He key turn in the lock." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a my secret was safe in his possession. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a few minutes he said that it would be all right. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an morning." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "It is possible." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived tell me that you intended to go into harness." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" as he folded up the epistle. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." floor. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to tell them apart.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the charged with?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have presume?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "What will you say?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his fortune, and I went back to pa. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. tell them apart.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely made his money." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fasten all the windows?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Whose house is it?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You know me, then?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Very much so." used to be." the bed, and you in that chair." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I don't believe it." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen retorted upon me, and I on you." highly," said Holmes. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a believe that I should never have any practice at all. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Again Holmes raved in the air. Holmes." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'I am sure if I had known--' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And is that all?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at my own good fortune. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that himself in a perplexing position. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "No, thank goodness, she did not." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. The summons was a brief and urgent one. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I see many objections to any such theory." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in think you a quite exceptional woman." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone someone who had been in Australia." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "My private note-paper." writer." purpose equally well?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." on in his house." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was carpenter." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." little trying to do so much typewriting?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and events than those which have happened in my own family." into the bag, and made for the door. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set had died away into the silence from which it rose. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you suggested at once that there must be a communication between the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after sufficient punishment." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his