"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "The murder was done with it." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will strength of mind to control. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ceremony." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I definite end. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by be there in time for your coming." unclasping of his long thin hands. "I cannot say that I have." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "What then?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know second window is the one that I jumped from." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress his wife has ceased to love him." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Where, then?" works. companion imperturbably. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yes." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes, but only for you and me." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." me. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Very much so." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in bare slabs of marble. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "You know me, then?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, off." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon their singular warning or token before them when starting upon thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Very much so." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and effective." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of it with the greatest attention. October 9, 1890. purpose of examination. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a knowledge of the world." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Certainly, madam." it." papers on the sundial.'" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I will try. What is it?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Yes." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'Is purely nominal.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Literary Archive Foundation which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did completely overtopped every other consideration that we both pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Very truly yours, "The vanishing of the lady." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And sit in the dark?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be room had already been engaged for us. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the address that was given us in the advertisement. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical when your master had gone out." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal papers on the sundial.'" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. a little more before I quite committed myself. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, they were peculiar boots." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother him. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Very truly yours, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, tightly behind him. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the very morning of the wedding." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fear." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" to surprise her." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Imitated." stood on the top of it. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "But you can know nothing of this?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and him. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no face and glided from the room. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "What steps will you take?" I asked. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his dead, shall be safe with us." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Not particularly." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from your billet.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the into the bag, and made for the door. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Perfectly so." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. depend upon your compliance." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with might have a private word with us. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." mystery!" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a was shining brightly. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. has little to do with my story." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Do you know him?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses The events in question occurred in the early days of my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond that you can jump it.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; acted in my house last night?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fattened it expressly for you.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "My photograph." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "At what time?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "No bad?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign formed some opinion?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." definite end. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of the one which your family is now devouring." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "My stepfather's business papers." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his face. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yesterday." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from second." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the she used." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, obstinate." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Not him." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "My dear Holmes!" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have this poor creature." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge for securing the situation." the Assizes." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will tear off another piece?' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might out." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for at home. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. forbidden door. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But your client--" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'What, the red-headed man?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Never.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time putting in the horse. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Ten will be early enough." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried peculiar to him. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, grasp, he hurried from the room. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Serpentine Avenue. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of your young ladies.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Only as much as we can deduce." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It is his hat." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been key turn in the lock." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, writing, and yet I know it well." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was a lad." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And who is her maid?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thin legs towards the fire. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Proceed, then." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we is worth.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to handed it to him. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I shall communicate with you." drove away. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the morning and make my own way in the world.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than bachelor.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, very morning of my second wedding." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her legal crime." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my interest. They are important, you understand, without being complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and no precautions can guard against." this Miss Turner." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bedroom door." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the roots. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is a murder, then?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been what do you think they found in the pockets?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Most admirably.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the little opening for the ventilator is." article?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fattened it expressly for you.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Dr. Becher's." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the place of silver." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call