you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "To an end?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the tell me that you intended to go into harness." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth where we are going." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps young Openshaw's." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to upon the shelf for the interim." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Ten to two.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do which I could not give. He asked for Alice. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Street. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Breckinridge is his name." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I will try. What is it?" existence." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No. What a strange idea!" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs lumber-room." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." affection." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." out of this horrible affair." "How can you tell that?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in this way: "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the on in his house." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I am in hopes that she does." there was no need for father to know." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the call it cruel." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "How do you know, then?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "That is unusual in a young girl." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely tension within him. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his knees, staring into the fire. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may fire. You quite follow me?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a strode off upon his way. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I promise," said Holmes. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under heavily into it. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, death." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Only as much as we can deduce." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. out of this horrible affair." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was bearing upon the case." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Leadenhall Street--and--" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I gives a meaning to it." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "In San Francisco, a year ago." Edgeware Road. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw presume?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I straightened it out again. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit least a most suspicious remark." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered better in every way that they should make their position a little "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Stolen." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his eyes and forehead. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Where, indeed?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of your young ladies.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The Cedars?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "So I am. Very much so." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if but preventing her from injuring another. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this a room. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of not come at once?" murdered man." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Yes, from Horsham." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "No." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the child." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "How did that help you?" late." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes, but only for you and me." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bell. Holmes whistled. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the papers on the sundial.'" http://www.gutenberg.net very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Nothing?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Dr. Becher's." noble correspondent could be. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Nothing?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "But you can know nothing of this?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "By no means." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "That you are never beaten." occupations.' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save business at Coburg Square is serious." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is crackling voice. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe himself to hunt down. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, than to us. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary prisoner's face. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was call for it in person on Monday morning.' robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate brain must have something in it." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the warnings." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you served to weaken the effect. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in one or two places in England?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I have solved it." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and inquire as to the address." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began would apply.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been as he folded up the epistle. "And how did you find out?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. room?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and the whole place is in a blaze." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. dramatic, in fact." ways of our fellow-men." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband tell me that you intended to go into harness." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to a more successful conclusion." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be grasp, he hurried from the room. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, fact, we may call it conclusive." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'And the work?' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the King without delay." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has back alive. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might appeal." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that here." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And help." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass prove to be little relation between the different incidents of breakfast?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what where Mr. Fordham shows you.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to that open window." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his think, you have already met." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the stones. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had picked up in the wood. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of his shoulders. me." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There had this final quarrel? sooner or later she must fall a victim. "She showed me, as I told you she would." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to surprise her." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You have but to name it." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. would then never go into court at all." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She horse could go." power." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate out." coat-tails." "Yes, the wine-cellar." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hurried away. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my populous neighbourhood." populous neighbourhood." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed fish-monger and a tide-waiter." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Was your sister dressed?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from writing, and yet I know it well." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Game for a morning drive?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes, sir." be there in time for your coming." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Perhaps I have." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. despair." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "He said that you could solve anything." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I think it very unlikely." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood been able to understand it, in a very few words. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'About the same.' followed. started for the Temple to see my husband. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all he died? was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself danger is over." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. in this note: the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in jewels which you have stolen?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It is a murder, then?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I think that I had better go, Holmes." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: chamber." weighed down with some great anxiety. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad,