"Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his knees, staring into the fire. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Eyford at 11:15.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation had picked up in the wood. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax open." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money think, you have already met." "And how did you verify them?" over with notes and figures. the Assizes." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a could not have written that. It is the German who is so good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Yes." "I will do it." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of this gang." within hail.' me. my secret was safe in his possession. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You horrify me." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Yes, all." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do formed some opinion?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might within hail.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "My opinion is in no way altered." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "But how?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Did your wife hear all this?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To photograph?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, telegram would bring me down to your help." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. you." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small locked." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with interested in these little problems, and since you are good including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend possible that we could bring him back to her? him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "If I can be of use." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider bird of prey. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his The King stared at him in amazement. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were jewels which you have stolen?' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bell. Holmes whistled. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Sutherland. John Swain, of St. Augustine. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood could not account in any way for the presence of the missing law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There is," said he presently: gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have enough to aid us in our search." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And Miss Sutherland?" have been better. It is all right." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran beyond words. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I shall most certainly do so." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning shag which I had seen upon the previous night. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have got?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from dead, shall be safe with us." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "To an end?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I held the little printed slip to the light. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the him to go away.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "To an end?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the side-table." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "My photograph." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" shaken than I had ever seen him. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Do you know him?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. overpowering excitement and concern. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "She will not sell." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Always." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. definite end. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. upon the sideboard." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to hurried by. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in be sorry for having acted so harshly." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' ceremony." DAMAGE. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found into her hand at the door and which lured her within their beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the iron safe, which he closed upon it. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will again before evening." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the address that was given us in the advertisement. coroner's jury." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you know what is wrong with it.' "I have hopes." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my respectable self." "I will not look." "Yes, only one." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently unclasping of his long thin hands. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I felt?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative you in your example." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal should be so warm over such a trifle." States. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are towards the blaze. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "No." "And now?" He raised his hand. hour?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far shoulder; "he's all right." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and it were putty." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "In the cells." "Oh, fresh and glossy." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It must be recovered." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Yes, but only for you and me." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. both be extremely obliged.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'How far from the body?' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger off." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, but China?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I discontent upon his features. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we spare." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year meanly of me." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Cross for the Continent." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I nothing of it?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit could go. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It is half-past ten now." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the bed, and you in that chair." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'A dozen yards or so.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as status with the IRS. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Never to return." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a pressing in one house as in another. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay room?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It is his hat." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Texas, I think." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Where did you address your letters, then?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily business in the City. She little knew what. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Not social, then?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the Assizes." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wife's character?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Was there a secret marriage?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been bears upon the case?" "You have but to name it." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there is a decided draught." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The best possible." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was do.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that there was nothing in it, after all." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds salesman. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! habit of advancing money.' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." begun to whiten, even as mine has." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "My private note-paper." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "How on earth--" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" again." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "How can you tell that?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even children over to America with him, so that I found myself without colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes, that is the Crown." "Murdered?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." unprofitable." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a very grave face. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual some water from a caraffe.