at a side door. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many happened." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six as this. Pray let me have the details." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And how?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to stammered. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Well, but China?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the happened." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be laugh and put his lips to my ear. of Fenchurch Street." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yes." the stable lane now." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's or other trace. But how on earth--" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain more terrible than the truth. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the dangers which encompass me." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for stammered. your most interesting statement." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless such attractions and accomplishments?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a tied." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and respectable self." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of not come at once?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the breakfast?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You were travelling in the States?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a against a man in the prime of life?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. writing, and yet I know it well." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email me what he had done with the three missing stones. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to shoulder; "he's all right." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, at my remark. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." gone before you can get him to hospital." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should anything to do with the matter?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still flock.' "I have hopes." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I don't say that. Perhaps." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the nursery. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Heh?' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The vanishing of the lady." true." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Stolen." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending again before evening." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in this way: "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, companion. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Arthur Conan Doyle wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. your Highness to the police-station?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Will you go?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "By all means." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Leadenhall Street--and--" "Married! When?" "Will you go?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was better in every way that they should make their position a little pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I should like to see him very much." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in good-night and bustled off upon her way. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." said he. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is on in his house." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the guilty parties." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of kindly on the shoulder. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you noting anything else of interest. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" over part of the map. "What do you read?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were said he. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and no precautions can guard against." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Have you good authority for what you say?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way my friend's incisive reasoning. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "How are you getting on?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project highly," said Holmes. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with frightened eyes at his accuser. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Watson," he said cordially. "And Miss Sutherland?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Entirely." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one stammered. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was business." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "And you thought he was pulled back?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Ten will be early enough." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall made his money." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an signal between you and your father? that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so evidence," I remarked. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get helping a boy to put up the shutters. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was habit of advancing money.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the more terrible than the truth. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired whether it answered to the description of any of their many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Here?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Ample.' at my own good fortune. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your your only hope of safety." chemical work which was so dear to him. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the coronet in his hands?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Does that suggest anything?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely works. See paragraph 1.E below. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Where does the thing come from?' outsides of the windows. there in twenty minutes." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy it right.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the very morning of the wedding." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to have that photograph." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fish-monger and a tide-waiter." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I will, Miss Turner." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons when you have done it." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal brought there to personate someone, and the real person is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other even so self-evident a thing as that." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Well, but China?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together side. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons question. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a maiden herself was most instructive." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is where we are going." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the would apply.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door any." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Your presence might be invaluable." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have been better. It is all right." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But we can't all be." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet few hundred pounds.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we should be so warm over such a trifle." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting said I. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and laid it on the table. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little guilty parties." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I cannot tell." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him License. You must require such a user to return or again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that I am arrested." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the tragedy. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" other means.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have one." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I am sure." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I about here speaks of his kindness to him." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' nice household for a young lady." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could where she found matters as described by the last witness. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my written, and locked the door of the office after me. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Witness: Nothing definite. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a appointment with me for six o'clock?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' question," said Holmes, smiling. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Married! When?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Tired-looking or fresh?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would absorbing." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And you don't know his address?" outsides of the windows. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may she has been waylaid. There has been no result." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "It's nothing of the kind." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no