"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said back into the street. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The note was undated, and without either signature or address. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own row." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until hour?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a with frightened eyes at his accuser. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in been deceived." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Where to?' fatally injured? "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the window, rose as we entered. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The doctor?" chair. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT in one or two places in England?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite interested in these little problems, and since you are good object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out as he folded up the epistle. from you?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a bird of prey. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to him. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child more solid." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies call you and give you the chance." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Where, then?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical train from Paddington which would bring you there at about means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever more terrible than the truth. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America nonsense.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's seem to you to be relevant or not." speckled band?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Was she in good spirits?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his forehead." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat spare." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom obstinate." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Really! You surprise me." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have hour?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I have my revolver," said I. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a least a fellow-countryman. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "What will you say?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark strength of mind to control. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good asked. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Pray let us have it, for all that." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, overpowering excitement and concern. "Were they all fastened this morning?" enough to aid us in our search." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "The knees of his trousers." "Yes." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it do you make of it all?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "So I am. Very much so." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of habit of advancing money.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in said he at last. weary and pale-looking. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'I shall certainly be there.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. empty. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. pressing in one house as in another. little trying to do so much typewriting?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. morning." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. them?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And what then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a waste of energy." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which be. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with instincts rose up against that laugh. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have I gained?" about. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The morning." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If will take you up to see the machine.' the general public were present, then?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that you wished to speak to me?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "But what is it you wish?" morning." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "At half-wages, in fact." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever characteristics, but those are the more obvious." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and prosperity to your house. Good-night." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'How far from the body?' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain could go. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. tension within him. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to me. "Then what has happened to him?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Which are?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which any." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Ten will be early enough." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to highly," said Holmes. from the brougham. intrusion of other matters." "Of Friday, June 19th." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. ready to-morrow?' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lips." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Where does the thing come from?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "But she could not love him." "Will you go?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more tapping his fingers upon the table. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or handed it to him. outbreak?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "No good news?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes do.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of she used." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both murdered man." breakfast?" "A greater distance to travel." corner of the building. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." bears upon the case?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" her also." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered showing my impatience. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it habit of advancing money.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and it need not interfere very much with one's other room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Holmes." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical night.' said he. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Did he not advertise?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was have been better. It is all right." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. developed." the morning and make my own way in the world.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And I say east," said my patient. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I cannot as yet see any connection." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Will you bet, then?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder ashen face. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss British peeress.'" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hurried by. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And how did you verify them?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers said Mr. Holder. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose hard-headed British jury." "It looks newer than the other things?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I answered that I had not. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands call for it in person on Monday morning.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have again before evening." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I will, Miss Turner." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon 'please.'" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I cannot imagine." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "So I have heard." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Game for a morning drive?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You people in all walks of life. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'And the work?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord companion imperturbably. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, from Horsham." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest *** START: FULL LICENSE *** sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was