"At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, giving me time to thank him. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a sound at heart." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of the way of danger. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "And now?" I asked. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Entirely." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." crowd. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "No, I had a dozen." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Where, then, is my wife?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of this man was intellectual?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, absorbing." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is father's young wife. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the be best to do. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "And how in the world did you find them?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Married! When?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and put his glass in his pocket. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is married her." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the just called myself is not exactly my own." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes, that is the Crown." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Then, how do you know?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'What then?' I asked. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in darkness. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I should be immensely obliged to you." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had take the flies, but not before." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the following enigmatical notices: use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Chief Executive and Director such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in his power. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" six. Come in!" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was a lad." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I cannot tell." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in a very precise fashion." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'I have heard so.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, photograph?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are at home. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are letters?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I matter." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that closing the door. "I promise," said Holmes. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to heavily into it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I am not easy in my mind about them." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You forget that I know nothing about it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded annoyance, but no jest. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "What! Had he lost his wife?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You horrify me!" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in the hope of finding them." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I cannot as yet see any connection." the child." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Serpentine Avenue. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sake, don't!" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Then you may entirely rely on me." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the than was visible to me." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "But how did you gain them?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "My dear Holmes!" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What then?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "The landlord of the Alpha." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of made him keep the appointment." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and our word." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very about. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is very clear." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Chief Executive and Director danger is over." until night should bring an explanation. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What then?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You have but to name it." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the legal crime." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Where, then, is my wife?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And now?" He raised his hand. "BALLARAT." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Does that suggest anything?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers digesting their breakfasts at home." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened disturbance in my wife." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'There is a drive, then?' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have I gained?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very it." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "If so, much may have happened between." "But what harm can there be in that?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that little adventures." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor following enigmatical notices: exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the one which it was hard to resist. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much strength of mind to control. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. garden below. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. out." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of like gravel from a pit.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I shall communicate with you." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had This is what he says: "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock think that he is innocent?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger of the way of danger. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that you can jump it.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and McCarthy's innocence. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a chambers. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be on in his house." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Did your wife hear all this?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I am not easy in my mind about them." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the running down." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress coat-tails." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And how did you find out?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And Irene Adler?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely helping a boy to put up the shutters. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stepfather?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he singular points about the case. What did the police think of the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. main points of my analysis." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he without a word or a look. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the appeared upon the scene." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "They are typewritten," I remarked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone cause to be." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us business?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And what did you learn from him?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the loss of it. pierced for earrings?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the very morning of the wedding." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of strong and stiff." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there depend upon my doing so.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was keep the flames under. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Not social, then?" a very grave face. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "In answer to an advertisement." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I am armed." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the roots. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and laid it on the table. from you?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it tapping his fingers upon the table. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to