grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will always that they were such commands as a lady might with me. You must get home instantly and act." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the running down." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that threaten you." mystery." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the child." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how out of this horrible affair." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "And your father? Did you tell him?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the straighten it?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm a suggestive one." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, own family. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The Coroner: What do you mean? About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I will try. What is it?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between tell them apart.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in me upon any point which I do not make clear." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition bell. Holmes whistled. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love gives a meaning to it." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "About a month then." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was throat." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That breakfast and whispered something to her husband. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is for its centre. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then, how do you know?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. sooner or later she must fall a victim. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a definite end. the very morning of the wedding." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." bearing upon the case." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'In my own bureau.' "That you are never beaten." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hair?' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage meant." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fact, we may call it conclusive." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "That also I could fathom." "I shall most certainly do so." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Leadenhall Street--and--" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his disturbance in my wife." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' photograph?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Yes, it was gone.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay him to go away.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what business matters.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But his left-handedness." other means.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and have this put in the evening papers." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my is a common subject for conversation. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped points to suicide?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in results." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and it need not interfere very much with one's other position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I promise," said Holmes. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You think so, too?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to instincts rose up against that laugh. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his was a lad." again." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Yes, sir.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips like that before?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and strode off upon his way. child?' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of the way of danger. directors, with the result that you have seen." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. during which he might have communicated with his friend the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "In heaven's name, what for?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "You have the photograph?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "In San Francisco, a year ago." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I am sure." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "What do you mean?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "You horrify me." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a observed. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? ago." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Ample." "VIOLET HUNTER." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." coat-tails." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Never,' said I. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in him." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul one else, I think." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Upon what point?" excitement. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I came to find a friend." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You have carte blanche." foresight and the moral retrogression?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing remarked. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and the church but not where the lady lived." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "An enemy?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "This concluded the examination of the witness." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What I expected to see." Count Von Kramm." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible this man was intellectual?" that he will be back before evening." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, It may be so in this case, also." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself open." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Miss Holder?" The King stared at him in amazement. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was weighed down with some great anxiety. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point amused." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." unprofitable." like gravel from a pit.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Young McCarthy must be got off, however." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'A dozen yards or so.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' off." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of prepare for the new role I have to play." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done sake, don't!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of him nearly every evening." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough him to be an active member of the medical profession." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "But you would not advise me to refuse?" coat-tails." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that I may have something better before very many minutes are get the tickets." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "That was it, sir." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" him to be an active member of the medical profession." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "From his hat?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "But to whom?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to occupations.' vault. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through business at Coburg Square is serious." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "So I have heard." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the sneer upon his pale face. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "By no means." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one heavily into it. to-morrow." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and effective." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" mystery." I am not easy in my mind about them." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my