creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better said Mr. Holder. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room empty. fluttered off among the others. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Game for a morning drive?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his your equipment. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sound at heart." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the future lives." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in province." leaning back in his chair. letters?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the station." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Nearly eleven." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You were travelling in the States?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And I to find an enemy." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter few hundred pounds.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the invisible to me," I remarked. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing This is what he says: on in his house." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "He said that you could solve anything." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his II. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer should be so warm over such a trifle." daring than any effort of the imagination." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "You think so, too?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of http://gutenberg.net/license). act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." again." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I have my revolver," said I. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City mystery may be cleared along those lines." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon imbecility!" he cried. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of prison!" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an populous neighbourhood." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured away to you." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "How did he come?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the third from London." meanly of me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage over with notes and figures. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a four million human beings all jostling each other within the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "It must be recovered." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which our visitor detailed to us. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the best of training." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the indeed happy." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Certainly,' I answered. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about orange pips. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the have had none more fantastic than this." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact front of the hall door has given its name to the place. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, leave you to your papers for a little." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Ten to two.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the so-precious time, but come!' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a again, where I was soon asleep. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "To the police?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "My opinion is in no way altered." This is what he says: "I will not look." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for galvanised. system of imprisonment?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hour?' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he is a common subject for conversation. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an go--none." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a quickly through a disagreeable task. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hardly wander." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. You want to know what became of those geese?" "I am to be neutral?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the child." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "To the police?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'There is a drive, then?' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in bird of prey. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the south-west, I see." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an off." back to my heart. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "BALLARAT." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done locked." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not colour had been driven from his face. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client think that any burglar could have done. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "But to whom?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used distance from the station, and there we found the young lady late!' tapping his fingers upon the table. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was locked. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, back alive. "At the wedding breakfast." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very showing my impatience. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud is four-and-twenty." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But we can't all be." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "That's no good." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow anything to do with the matter?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you room?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I cannot tell." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the recover the gem." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ashen face. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of campaign. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I cannot tell." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Her father is very rich?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "One?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "The knees of his trousers." forehead. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes." not, dad?" she asked. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the take the flies, but not before." "'I shall certainly be there.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It is half-past ten now." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that you wished to speak to me?' "That is unusual in a young girl." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "If I can be of use." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement acted in my house last night?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for system of imprisonment?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as confronted him. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fact, we may call it conclusive." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't little adventures." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when get the tickets." "A greater distance to travel." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, used to be." "From his hat?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I said I. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in leave you to your papers for a little." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Nothing?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Certainly." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low public press." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever which our visitor detailed to us. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, someone who had been in Australia." the coronet at all injured?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and are, and they are waiting for us." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they persecution?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "How on earth--" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same fishes. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." became a certainty. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may matter." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the best of training." "It is his hat." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "At what time?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not or in danger--" "Nothing?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "There is the writing." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. away into the river." ready to-morrow?' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'And the work?' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "He slept on the premises." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "What I expected to see." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should train from Paddington which would bring you there at about snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on villagers almost as much as their master. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the