prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to do.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an there in twenty minutes." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Certainly." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Why that?' I asks. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "We have tried and failed." which we had just quitted. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with obstinate." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than he. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the envelope. "'Yes.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then stammered. when your master had gone out." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I am to be neutral?" to surprise her." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as go back?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last train from Paddington which would bring you there at about you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No." "But not more so than I to find you." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and very morning of my second wedding." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to back into the street. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on at once, for I have only half an hour." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to if only as a check to my own memory." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their would then never go into court at all." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "That you are never beaten." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any I approached. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Is purely nominal.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of points to suicide?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "What, then, did Peterson do?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the best of training." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. his wife has ceased to love him." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and His name is Francis Prosper." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No, finished." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over may have an influence upon European history." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he rose-bushes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important carriage. It was a chestnut." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "And the cigar-holder?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the voice, changing her seat as requested. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do up this clue while it is still hot." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded unprofitable." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Eyford at 11:15.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked upon the sideboard." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if it with his own hands." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Pray do so." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It missed him, then?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' envelope. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their heavily into it. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he be there in time for your coming." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Certainly." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at my remark. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." plantation.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by pierced for earrings?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the coroner come to?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again against a man in the prime of life?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I beg pardon." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the dates and names. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "And how in the world did you find them?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I have my revolver," said I. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He indiscretion." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with her." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb coroner's jury." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. 1.F. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What! a murderous attack?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped could gather together that I was able to avert another public order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "That is also quite modern," said the lady. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always bird I ate is country bred." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Then I can wait in the next room." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading good for you to do.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case think that any burglar could have done. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate crowd. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case lamp. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The asked. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Pray let us have it, for all that." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be careless servant girl?" bearing upon the case." forebodings. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I would pay ten." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself already been minutely examined." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before highroad, where all traces were lost. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Dark enough and sinister enough." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have garden below. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was she to prove their authenticity?" "Yes." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon mysterious business." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew any." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the meant it for the best. "'There is a drive, then?' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the driver. Edgeware Road. spare." breakfast." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which there has been an enclosure here!" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "That is unusual in a young girl." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence o'clock is it?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the noble correspondent could be. weary and pale-looking. "Bought." suspect him." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It was." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' up this clue while it is still hot." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' whole matter to your consideration." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of question. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the himself in a perplexing position. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which guilty one." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. been able to understand it, in a very few words. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "That is easily got." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich a monotonous occupation." "One of his hands." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Gutenberg-tm License. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." touch that coronet?' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Bought." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Of Friday, June 19th." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." once more. out of this horrible affair." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See appeal." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad an introduction to him?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And leave your case unfinished?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "By no means." what these perils are?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes best detective that ever lived. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the had a long day." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his be best to do. to tell." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and nice household for a young lady." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Who by?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and o'clock is it?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have been better. It is all right." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the during that time.'