the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive shadow pass over his face as I spoke. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "By all means." stood on the top of it. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And I say east," said my patient. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Absolutely?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you for a few hours?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Nearly eleven." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate vanished into the darkness. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Was your sister dressed?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Was the window open?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And your mother is alive?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a paper in the air. recover the gem." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." burst out into a roar of laughter. other means.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we tear off another piece?' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little McCarthy." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Eyford." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Why did you pick him?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Holmes." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "To the police?" "Yes, from Horsham." congenial hunt. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in man. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and what do you think they found in the pockets?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his huge brown hands. a very grave face. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush felt the room to be a little close.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Very well, sir. And this stone?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Stolen." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of campaign. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Her father is very rich?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. bill, which interests me deeply." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. you?' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That flock.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Not yet." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." drove away. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which note?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. papers." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And when will you call?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "At what time?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now whatever might befall. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of awkward doing business with an alias." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Watson," he said cordially. "'What, the red-headed man?' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That II. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "And when will you call?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very The police have openly confessed that they can at present make eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to with you?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her words came to my lips. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she legal crime." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we round with crates and massive boxes. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a be there in time for your coming." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Do you know him?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so look dissatisfied." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to go into your room and bar your shutters?" true." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better opportunities to fix the problem. "What of the rat, then?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in this way: bled considerably." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done hurried away. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "What then?" "And I say east," said my patient. "Never." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to talk it over. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yes." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and stood on the top of it. tied." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "He might." already been minutely examined." my little problems." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak what these perils are?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hour?' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which do.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version stalked out of the room. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes, at the mines." chill to my heart. "Nothing." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every depend upon your compliance." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "No sign of it?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and the church but not where the lady lived." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save indeed which he could not unravel. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Entirely." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of this gang." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, they were peculiar boots." from you?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been The telegram which we eventually received came late one night horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and laid it on the table. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel said he. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It is very kind of you." front of me. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Where to?' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" window when the police appeared." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a on re-entering her father's house?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to tackle the facts." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our been shamefully used." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged envelope. "That is easily got." "But you were on a friendly footing?" and the colonel ushered me in. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "And on what day did he meet his death?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the them present such singular features as the strange train of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It is no ordinary one." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, crime." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did purpose equally well?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "No." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that cigars in their mouths. head. So long, then!" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: than to us. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon all?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two when you have done it." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely more terrible than the truth. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And I." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "A greater distance to travel." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Pray do so." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sparkled upon his finger. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pressing in one house as in another. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It is half-past ten now." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching knowledge of the world." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been shag which I had seen upon the previous night. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" into the bag, and made for the door. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And I to find an enemy." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cheerful." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Not at all. I only doubt--'