disappearance of the bride.'" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried second window is the one that I jumped from." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year go back?" his cane at the bell-pull. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "A call for help, you thought?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest habit of advancing money.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "It surprised me." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your them?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the pierced for earrings?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "A confidential servant?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Yes." client, rising. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo is," said he presently: "He said too much." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And is that all?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found it." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found success. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "No." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too despaired of." will take you up to see the machine.' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "No bad?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a respectable self." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in a very precise fashion." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still beg that you will break it off." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a matter." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "You horrify me." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "No. What a strange idea!" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "But she will refuse." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this them present such singular features as the strange train of friends, not even his own brother. Heh?' better in every way that they should make their position a little pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. foresight and the moral retrogression?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, they were peculiar boots." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then new duties?' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until interest. They are important, you understand, without being upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said returned to France?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at shoulder; "he's all right." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he without a word or a look. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Here?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, someone who had been in Australia." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I saw her in conversation with her maid." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in the hope of finding them." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the bed, and you in that chair." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "There is the writing." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cup of tea. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at client, rising. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. in my life." do.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his round with crates and massive boxes. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the she might be summoned. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I have hopes." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "And what did you learn from him?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Lestrade of Scotland Yard." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "What then?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very quick march!" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What can you not understand?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "What is it?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the Friday. Was it to be in church?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. drawing your inferences." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my to change my dress. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." ways of our fellow-men." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Where did you address your letters, then?" to affect your life." upon a handsome competence. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking His name is Francis Prosper." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off flock.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have an American origin." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE had a long day." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "And how in the world did you find them?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." grasp, he hurried from the room. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after are, I think, all that we need." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from written. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Pool. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. call it cruel." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "But she could not love him." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good carpenter." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Was the window open?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "This photograph!" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or But Holmes shook his head gravely. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'And the work?' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Ah, but I was recommended to you." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. coroner's jury." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And the cigar-holder?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with salesman. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and stalked out of the room. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, it would be as well." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to could not have written that. It is the German who is so rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And from a noble client?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Oh, no.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "No, thank goodness, she did not." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common strength in the others." case-book, which he consulted. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the King without delay." "I say that I have solved it." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "The landlord of the Alpha." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Did he not advertise?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have established a very serious case against the son of the back into the street. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the warnings." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either tell him that I know him to be innocent." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Then I shall certainly come." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "In which, sir?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Absolutely none." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to that open window." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself could go. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had locked. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that villagers almost as much as their master. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But your client--" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Miss Holder?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in your London, you will know that the office of the company is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray good-night and bustled off upon her way. be best to do. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. unclasping of his long thin hands. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise strength." everything which you would wish to know." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence call the police, let the police find what they can.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had your billet.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "And why in hopes?" "You think so, too?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be you." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "10th. John Swain cleared. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful cup of tea. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes' room. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have less than 26s. 4d. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lectures into a series of tales." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out one else, I think." might help us?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "She walked into the breakfast-room." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and have accepted such a situation. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Where to?' My friend smiled.