"And what did you see?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day stalked out of the room. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the one of them." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding it right.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could bed dies. Does not that strike you?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" quite distinctive." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "He slept on the premises." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has stepfather?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging returning from some small jollification and was making his way allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It is possible." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and all of them with the keenest interest. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Does that suggest anything?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "No, my brougham is waiting." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of Mr. Rucastle's." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for hurried by. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Gutenberg-tm License. "Certainly." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each garden below. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in made him keep the appointment." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "What!" he roared. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "No good news?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No, I think that I'll take it." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his thought that she would have been so carried away." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said bed dies. Does not that strike you?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. occupations.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but 1.F. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass keep the flames under. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes. He waved his hands." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we morning." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was feeling which was the fattest.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come seven miles from Eyford Station.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide there is a decided draught." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to-night." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "But the mystery?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes rather sternly. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I think that I had better go, Holmes." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Certainly." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for fasten all the windows?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "We must have a cab." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I shall be delighted." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bachelor.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "He disappeared so suddenly." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission conclusions. breakfast?" "What! a murderous attack?" outside. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the very morning of my second wedding." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Count Von Kramm." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock infinite languor in his face. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and have this put in the evening papers." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you writing, and yet I know it well." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently presented more singular features than that which was associated here." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. light and attacked it." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "He is dead," cried several voices. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than you." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come American. Then who could this American be, and why should he soul! here is her carriage at the door." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of it with the greatest attention. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." helping a boy to put up the shutters. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "One of his hands." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall foot. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, is so. I know all about McCarthy." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The best possible." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Then I can wait in the next room." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom soul! here is her carriage at the door." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Never to return." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "To ruin me." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales said I. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and awkward doing business with an alias." very morning of my second wedding." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'I have already given you my word.' in his hands." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Pray do so." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Your sister is dead, then?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is with her." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds get her out of the way." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I think that it is very probable." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it take the flies, but not before." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you himself to tell his story. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Entirely." "A confidential servant?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Which dealer's?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the your room." "Then what has happened to him?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But to whom?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. she might be summoned. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can round and wave him away like that.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done death." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall waste of energy." "I say it is." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Won't it ring?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Quite sure, dad.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and glanced through. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes, from Horsham." "The King of Scandinavia." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, good for you to do.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the iron safe, which he closed upon it. gone. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and looked back. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I think that I could be of assistance to you." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "It is solved." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. you give your casting vote to?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "When did it break out?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning villagers almost as much as their master. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the said I. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can interests were the same as his." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who compunction about shooting them down." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "And how did you verify them?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Where did he live, then?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. conduct the inquiry." was already answered. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Will you go?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the delighted to hear it," he said. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an questioning and rather startled gaze. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and keep the flames under. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sound at heart." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill