remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance do.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the over here." promised to bring home. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before kindly on the shoulder. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "He is still with you, I presume?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said some place of shelter and let the county police know what has flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in house for five minutes.' his cane at the bell-pull. But Holmes shook his head gravely. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a little more before I quite committed myself. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the a very grave face. said I. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an felt the room to be a little close.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to this remarkable episode. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then in. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "That's no good." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a your sleep?' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the house with me." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a his forehead." me. You must get home instantly and act." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hair?' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wall." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the asked. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the inner apartment." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely most interesting one." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I shall most certainly do so." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "How did that help you?" bell. Holmes whistled. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was feeling which was the fattest.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can But Holmes shook his head gravely. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And now?" He raised his hand. in him." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have not had my rubber." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Why? What do you mean?" voice. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, important." call the police, let the police find what they can.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "He might." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And help." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and look upon these things in a different way." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Then I shall certainly come." not within a twentieth part of the market price." nothing with him." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Is 4 pounds a week.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently in the dead of the night?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy client, rising. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But he might be a bachelor." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and indeed happy." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was already answered. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be for its centre. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said round and wave him away like that.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What can you not understand?" "What will you do, then?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'And what salary do you ask?' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged think that he is innocent?" "To the police?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. into the bag, and made for the door. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened danger is over." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, upon the white wrist. "Yes." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's him!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, dates and names. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring rat could hardly pass through." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. night.' said he. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Then let me do so?' that there was nothing in it, after all." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, brain must have something in it." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "What! Had he lost his wife?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "No?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for brain must have something in it." "There is the writing." "Yes." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his despair." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That you are never beaten." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Ah!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were bird I ate is country bred." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I other means.' at my own good fortune. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes, from Horsham." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, next day. there." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign which it had come upon my father." 11:15.' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to surprise her." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my national property. I was determined that the law should have its rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life over his head with a sweet womanly caress. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification business." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Entirely." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and inquire as to the address." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California details should find their way into the papers. Inspector down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to-morrow." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the one as in the other." "I am in hopes that she does." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Was she in good spirits?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for tear off another piece?' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "What then?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You have carte blanche." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. night.' said he. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Yes, sir.' something of him before." for the market.' "I say it is." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about at home. "On the contrary, this is the right side." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her points to suicide?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "And now?" I asked. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the King without delay." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "No." already referred to. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray be. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Can I be of assistance?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she which are rolled in Rotterdam." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the stones. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter be.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said followed. "And how in the world did you find them?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think works. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This again, where I was soon asleep. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." depend upon my doing so.' the coronet in his hand?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner if only as a check to my own memory." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes' thin, eager face. "How can you tell that?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes distinguish the words: "No, finished." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the bottom.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but look upon these things in a different way." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "What!" he roared. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty humiliation." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots I am not easy in my mind about them." had formerly been in part my own. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was foresight and the moral retrogression?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." seen the man in the road." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Yes, that is the Crown." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced highroad, where all traces were lost. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Look there!" said he. "Never." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the prisoner's face. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What! a murderous attack?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party more terrible than the truth. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle What do you deduce from it?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the