attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. there!' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Indeed! Whose, then?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser best detective that ever lived. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'I am sure that I do not know.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Ample.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little writer." fact, we may call it conclusive." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No, I am descending." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you country, and eventually married, without anyone having a taking in every detail of the apartment. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. few hundred pounds.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "They are typewritten," I remarked. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to happened." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door with you alone." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood front of the hall door has given its name to the place. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the assist you in forming an opinion." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he him. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Stolen!' he cried. on in his house." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, know what is wrong with it.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Come in!" said Holmes. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and envelope. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that investigation." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning present." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to him, that man would not have given me such complete information list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. what these perils are?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" how narrow had been my escape. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Where is it, then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dear old homesteads?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive guilty one." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some about. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "My dear Holmes!" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "One?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked page at http://pglaf.org "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Stolen, then." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." charged with?" meanly of me." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the had a long day." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "You are certainly joking, Holmes." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the were new raised from a basin. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "How are you getting on?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of gigantic client. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat detained." dead, shall be safe with us." "I will not look." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that learned something! Where are the gems?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "What do you mean?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy hereditary King of Bohemia." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." that I may have something better before very many minutes are room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed returned to France?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. October 9, 1890. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave direction." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Now, then, what's the last entry?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "The best possible." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" less than 26s. 4d. the inner apartment." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whatever might befall. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he upon the sideboard." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One sooner or later she must fall a victim. "To an English lawyer named Norton." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons The telegram which we eventually received came late one night sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what she might be summoned. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on read it out to me." "I will try. What is it?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. works. See paragraph 1.E below. yourselves in at night?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody me." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed once more to my work. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning key of the affair now." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," whatever might befall. guilty parties." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where putting in the horse. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Game for a morning drive?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew this truth that in these little records of our cases which you do.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all tied." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could other means.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding your only hope of safety." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rooms." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "This concluded the examination of the witness." place no limit on the sum I may draw." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Surrey." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, that you can jump it.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bed dies. Does not that strike you?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And leave your case unfinished?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had no one to advise her at such a crisis." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their is worth.' "You have the photograph?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I should like to see him very much." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into disappearance of these gems?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to me. clang of the bell. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped charge against him will break down." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I see many objections to any such theory." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He disappeared so suddenly." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are hopeless attempt at recovering them." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I am in hopes that she does." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Serpentine Avenue. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of not as remarkable as your advertisement." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I have it here in my museum." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in me." for its centre. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and be there in time for your coming." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, served to weaken the effect. "But it has twice been burgled." "I should like to see him very much." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I will try. What is it?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Certainly not.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But not more so than I to find you." "I see many objections to any such theory." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Where to?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open not fit the lock." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I took the paper from him and read as follows: have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "But what will you do?" "Could he throw no light?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice directly by questioning you." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be already referred to. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new posted to-day." bell. Holmes whistled. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family