reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Why? What do you mean?" fait accompli?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Entirely." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the date of his supposed suicide." "'Is purely nominal.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the devil!" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. congratulate you again." opened the door, and slipped through. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The knees of his trousers." whatever might befall. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up child?' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with for and were ordered to this address. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "But what harm can there be in that?" the stones. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the general public were present, then?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes room. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hardly wander." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this business came to an end." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The annoyance, but no jest. open." on in his house." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. union?" "Why, what do you mean?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I beg pardon." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was events, Mr. Windibank!" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, look dissatisfied." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and showing my impatience. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon tell them apart.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I say it is." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Deserted you?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were writer." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, matters immensely." way: gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Then let me do so?' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sneer upon his pale face. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "So I have heard." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." thin legs towards the fire. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would leave you to your papers for a little." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I cannot imagine." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There on re-entering her father's house?" "But I am all in the dark." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The landlord of the Alpha." the roots. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." was shining brightly. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' your equipment. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I was concerned in it." a very grave face. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly late!' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking which we had just quitted. looking up at the numbers of the houses." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I have a cab outside." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Oh, fresh and glossy." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free writer." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The whereabouts. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Foundation thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" lamp in his hand. "I am all attention, madam." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "No more words. Get out!" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in his hands." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be page at http://pglaf.org "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But as he folded up the epistle. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it means?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I cannot imagine." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him woven round him. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But I have heard all that you have heard." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured for and were ordered to this address. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation character. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, go--none." you." gone. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day tell me that you intended to go into harness." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Deserted you?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You saw the ventilator, too?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over him and tried to hold him back. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders begun to whiten, even as mine has." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "So it appears." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is four-and-twenty." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'As governess?' pierced for earrings?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "If so, much may have happened between." even so self-evident a thing as that." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Assizes." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie particular state visit http://pglaf.org those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You saw the ventilator, too?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Then the page we have seen--" tell me that you intended to go into harness." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of retorted upon me, and I on you." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. miles off. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper some mystery and the punishment of some crime." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an dead, shall be safe with us." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The Cedars?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' it were putty." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle records." key turn in the lock." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "They are typewritten," I remarked. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking furiously. south, for the country is more deserted there." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, more solid." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It missed him, then?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the date of his supposed suicide." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the coronet in his hand?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "You have compromised yourself seriously." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in his hands." cheerful." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more within hail.' of Fenchurch Street." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was over part of the map. "What do you read?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' open." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late both be extremely obliged.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'It is locked up,' I answered. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts were new raised from a basin. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Pray do so." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's in my life." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he this man was intellectual?" "'You cannot say what it was?' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss bare slabs of marble. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he when you have done it." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'As governess?' had this final quarrel? matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled enter into my head. footfalls from the street. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah my former friend and companion. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "But to whom?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "How on earth--" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was footfalls from the street. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing wife's character?" for the market.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Perhaps I have." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious face and glided from the room. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the disappearance of the bride.'" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Your French gold?" never to learn it at all." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I approached. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Sutherland. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Do you receive much company?" he asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the side-table." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this towards the blaze. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and It may be so in this case, also." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "How often?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the your most interesting statement." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Eyford." events, Mr. Windibank!" fattened it expressly for you.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid look upon these things in a different way." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It came here." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly."