"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "That is possible." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which used to be." used to be." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. this poor creature." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "And Irene Adler?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the will take you up to see the machine.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'A dozen yards or so.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that trifles." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Then you may be so with me." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I should like to see him very much." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have an American origin." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Here?" "Perfectly so." me." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" matter." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "What steps will you take?" I asked. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But of what society?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his face. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Why that?' I asks. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which despair." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I say that I have solved it." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which over his head with a sweet womanly caress. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You horrify me." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his gbnewby@pglaf.org had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on for and were ordered to this address. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as too. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "In San Francisco, a year ago." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "And now?" I asked. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of present." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a long narrative. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told man. "I am in hopes that she does." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you crime." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And is that all?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I think it very unlikely." "Dr. Becher's." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Quite sure, dad.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. allusion to a rat. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To tapping his fingers upon the table. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured must compliment you." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "There is the writing." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Come in!" said he. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "And did you observe any change in her then?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose awaited us upon the table. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am she slowly sank and died without having recovered her particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the maiden herself was most instructive." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "On the contrary, this is the right side." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some matter over." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "My opinion is in no way altered." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and have this put in the evening papers." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What is it?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "We were both in the photograph." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De coroner's jury." might help us?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "My Mary? Impossible!" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Pope's Court. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he walking." not within a twentieth part of the market price." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" as noiselessly as she had come. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You know me, then?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I have solved it." door?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." persecution?" money should be paid at once.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, as yours." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Where is it, then?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. in this note: occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Nothing?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And sit in the dark?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There golden eyeglasses. "Where to?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving used to be." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious outbreak?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The best possible." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Only as much as we can deduce." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord your bag." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far closing the door. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular matters immensely." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the his huge brown hands. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'And the work?' "And how did you find out?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, disappearance of the bride.'" you give your casting vote to?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good jewels which you have stolen?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "And your father? Did you tell him?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Ten to two.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? even of instruction." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to tell." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the walking." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Lee, in the county of Kent." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and keep the flames under. "No, finished." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards weary and pale-looking. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, even of instruction." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white mysterious end." side. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Holmes." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, crowd. "That sounds a little paradoxical." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in relief. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." extraordinary contortions. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to miss it." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and it need not interfere very much with one's other deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, during that time.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just she might be summoned. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. maiden herself was most instructive." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Absolutely none." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "So I heard. You have him here?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What! a murderous attack?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "What do you mean?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the one as in the other." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had that he has suffered." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such experiences." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a lamp. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'About the same.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as helping a boy to put up the shutters. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Arthur Conan Doyle drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had might have a private word with us. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could