"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And why in hopes?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I say that I have solved it." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself will not take me long to tell. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his call it cruel." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I cannot imagine." appeared upon the scene." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. for and were ordered to this address. on in his house." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have strength in the others." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "That sounds a little paradoxical." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But we can't all be." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes, all." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with writers could invent nothing more crude." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I will get her to show me." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Yes, he did." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "But what is it you wish?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The had formerly been in part my own. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I introspective fashion. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and a monotonous occupation." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And your mother is alive?" "Yes, at the mines." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Was the window open?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, correct than the official force." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. side. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. gone. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast than was visible to me." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was it brought him the coronet? have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is whether it answered to the description of any of their transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Quite sure, dad.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and these bleak autumnal evenings." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Yes, it would be as well." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm shall use the carriage to-night." telegram would bring me down to your help." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It may not come to that," said Holmes. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the side-table." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I am following you closely," I answered. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to surprise her." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But not more so than I to find you." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Where is it, then?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, were new raised from a basin. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Her father is very rich?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had have been better. It is all right." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a room. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "How long did she speak to this Alice?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull bird of prey. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City what is your own theory as to what took place?" me. You must get home instantly and act." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "In the cells." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Just look it up, then." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. which we had just quitted. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the fatally injured? "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Then I do not see the point." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to a more successful conclusion." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of business came to an end." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the them, and came down just as you departed. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The possible that we could bring him back to her? admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and said he. not personally threatened." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I see no marks." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his what is your own theory as to what took place?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs suspect him." "There are none." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'And what salary do you ask?' compunction about shooting them down." beyond words. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a must compliment you." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in light and attacked it." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that just ask you whether you had heard it.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You horrify me!" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Breckinridge is his name." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You horrify me." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. careless servant girl?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between case before our client came into the room." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton at home. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose strode off upon his way. that?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "He said too much." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of outsides of the windows. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who security.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "But his lameness?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "What! You do not mean bodies?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "My own seal." "We must have a cab." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of it with the greatest attention. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to our word." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes, only one." and I shall be with you presently." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' him, that man would not have given me such complete information moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me one which it was hard to resist. shall not find me ungrateful." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have one." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the little opening for the ventilator is." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate The summons was a brief and urgent one. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up thin legs towards the fire. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." could go. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the running down." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Yes, sir.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was all-comprehensive glances. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." leaning back in his chair. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "He is dead," cried several voices. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and married her." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "It is very kind of you." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Not in a good cause." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Could he throw no light?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Ah!" pictures, libraries, or plate. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in this Miss Turner." train.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Yes, sir." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'What, the red-headed man?' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Married! When?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "That is not always so easy." round and wave him away like that.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by good for you to do.' to a more successful conclusion." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right it." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his knees, staring into the fire. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless lumber-room." little trying to do so much typewriting?" enough to aid us in our search." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And your mother is alive?" "Will you go?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such bonnet, and went out." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. for the market.' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the window, rose as we entered. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "It looks newer than the other things?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "That is unusual in a young girl." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of telegram would bring me down to your help." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached My friend smiled. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. main points of my analysis." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, know what is wrong with it.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag