her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the nothing of it?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "If so, much may have happened between." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Breckinridge is his name." pictures, libraries, or plate. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to me. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the stable lane now." views." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress would then never go into court at all." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the roots. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the electronic works roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the tension within him. signal between you and your father? predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is half-past ten now." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me weigh very heavily upon my conscience." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "That's no good." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which side. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Where does the thing come from?' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "At the wedding breakfast." "By all means." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stepfather?" it." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back your only hope of safety." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" made his money." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes, sir." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then I shall certainly come." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. trifles." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "But what is it you wish?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I promise," said Holmes. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And how did you verify them?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "What, then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You did not overhear what they said?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their *** START: FULL LICENSE *** he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What have you to say now?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "What! Had he lost his wife?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Thank you. And your address?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You have compromised yourself seriously." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable she slowly sank and died without having recovered her - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." man. Serpentine Avenue. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the page at http://pglaf.org "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "On the contrary, this is the right side." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "My last client of the sort was a king." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And how did you find out?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we woven round him. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and your relations to her." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the companion. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" think that any burglar could have done. "The Cedars?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some train.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the come either from the window or the door. My attention was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, wife's character?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the bottom.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Seven!" I answered. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I evidence," I remarked. "Yes, but only for you and me." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it these bleak autumnal evenings." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went fishes. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts them?" late." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You are hungry," I remarked. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic standing smiling on the door-step. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each depend upon my doing so.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out situation." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the matter." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to up this clue while it is still hot." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its head. So long, then!" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your must be when I saw the door open.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "In what way?" asked Holmes. was already answered. "She showed me, as I told you she would." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my o'clock is it?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Very much so." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great feature." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural happened." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "He said that you could solve anything." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" it were putty." your bag." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I came to find a friend." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that I am arrested." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my http://www.gutenberg.net "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Where to?" McCarthy's innocence. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar what I may call a really hard day's work." "Never." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your open." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis indeed which he could not unravel. bachelor.' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have got?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Did you become engaged then?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Not I." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering begin with, and I had not got mine yet." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I business came to an end." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It may be so in this case, also." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and train.' washing it down with a long draught of water. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was daring than any effort of the imagination." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle coroner's jury." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Leadenhall Street--and--" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and looked back. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our conduct the inquiry." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he 1.E.9. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door do you make of it all?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Entirely." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this thirty. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Just look it up, then." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my business matters.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "My stepfather's business papers." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And you can do nothing until then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check appeared upon the scene." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" placed his cuttings. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You have carte blanche." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the is acting for the best. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You have carte blanche." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at past. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I leave." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low four million human beings all jostling each other within the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his mystery may be cleared along those lines." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy was a perfect sample of the class. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me