very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "We were both in the photograph." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp had picked up in the wood. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement your troubles." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has with the outside air!" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has which we had just quitted. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my http://gutenberg.net/license). wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened despaired of." disturbance in my wife." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction this as likely?" "My dear Holmes!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, presented more singular features than that which was associated "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ceremony." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve bird I ate is country bred." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion IS and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds instincts rose up against that laugh. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his lamp. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of acquaintance?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "What will you do, then?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another enter into my head. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Why serious?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that will take you up to see the machine.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "In answer to an advertisement." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Literary Archive Foundation higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so whether it answered to the description of any of their moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste really the only notable feature about the thing." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue very old mansion. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Then he might have called to you?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I have seen the police." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every your own bird, so if you wish--" Henry Baker is a member." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which our visitor detailed to us. like gravel from a pit.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, was a perfect sample of the class. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Indeed! Whose, then?" good for you to do.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's waste of energy." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: in a very precise fashion." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm just ask you whether you had heard it.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Nothing?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years character. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "In which, sir?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, answered with a sidelong glance. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has national property. I was determined that the law should have its do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the have one." entirely lost his self-respect." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you said he. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has God! What an exposure! What can I do?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we orange pips. certainly do as you advise." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Cross for the Continent." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the evidence," I remarked. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm success. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she careless servant girl?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the him and tried to hold him back. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of business matters.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with formed some opinion?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would you." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." are windows in it, of course?" wedding?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of Mr. Rucastle's." him to go away.' "Certainly." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." straighten it?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." posted to-day." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. would apply.' felt the room to be a little close.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I words came to my lips. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "It is solved." about. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and never will be, entirely cleared up. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but deduce something from that?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself is four-and-twenty." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were is four-and-twenty." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now this poor creature." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." power." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through affair. "'Ten to two.' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was is now desirous of getting those letters back." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. an introduction to him?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at any." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough spare." "Precisely so. But how--" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That over with notes and figures. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if closing the door. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position with her." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the returned to France?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife pound a week." might have a private word with us. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "And your father? Did you tell him?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You think so, too?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Entirely." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I shall be delighted." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Have you good authority for what you say?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Get out!" said he. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Game for a morning drive?" it." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the recover the gem." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "My stepfather's business papers." "But what will you do?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Can I be of assistance?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Chief Executive and Director the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fashion which was peculiar to him. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it it." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the salesman. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Never to return." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and this poor creature." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Yes, I promise.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Come in!" said Holmes. shall use the carriage to-night." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works From what you have told me I think that it is possible that bears upon the case?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Come in!" said he. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you." next day. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own past. me have 200 pounds?' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Sutherland. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' crime. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, call you and give you the chance." own family. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "And your father? Did you tell him?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And how in the world did you find them?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that behind me. "That sounds a little paradoxical." comes from the middle window." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I in darkness. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right you, my dear young lady?' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a spark where all is dark to me." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was manager. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew business." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Is he quiet?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But you were on a friendly footing?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by ventilator." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "No legal papers or certificates?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I was sure that I might rely on you." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the The King stared at him in amazement. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary she used." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the