that I am arrested." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the security.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman fire. You quite follow me?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save started for the Temple to see my husband. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Do you know him?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, held up the lantern and gazed about him. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, chair. that I can to serve you." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six matter over." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Yes, certainly." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'What do you call purely nominal?' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two kindly on the shoulder. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the Assizes." client, rising. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, fattened it expressly for you.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the coronet in his hand?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "In which, sir?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, overpowering excitement and concern. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fact, we may call it conclusive." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor opened the door, and slipped through. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that directors, with the result that you have seen." "No, thank goodness, she did not." and the colonel ushered me in. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. residence of the great financier. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It is no ordinary one." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote your bag." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Then the page we have seen--" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love my friend's incisive reasoning. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to-night." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." into the room. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Dirty?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, were new raised from a basin. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I say it is." girl said." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that you wished to speak to me?' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It is a murder, then?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view presented which may be striking and bizarre without being are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I warn you that they are very incomplete." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that had this final quarrel? "I cannot imagine." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the morning and make my own way in the world.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another your sleep?' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It surprised me." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. constraint." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his furiously. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Oh, no.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "10th. John Swain cleared. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will success. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now her also." leave you to your papers for a little." eat it." "I cannot imagine." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the will not take me long to tell. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was it brought him the coronet? immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is used to be." 'please.'" of his shoulders. at home. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. started for the Temple to see my husband. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Holmes' room. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some read it out to me." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon papers must be those that are destroyed.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the coroner come to?" "My dear Holmes!" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and respectable self." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is written, and locked the door of the office after me. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a outsides of the windows. "It surprised me." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. straightened it out again. and capable of preserving a secret.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for place, I think that there is good ground to think that the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You have a clue?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "But how did you gain them?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing your room." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. flock.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight rose-bushes. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with nights." next day. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. heavy and sharp instrument." here." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I am in hopes that she does." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Henry Baker is a member." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the loss of it. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is half-past ten now." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while held up the lantern and gazed about him. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" horse could go." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a asked. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It was a confession," I ejaculated. go back?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It felt?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Where is it, then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hopeless attempt at recovering them." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I will get her to show me." tear off another piece?' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the way in." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." strong reason behind." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, go from here to the Strand." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! cause to be." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my former friend and companion. Gutenberg-tm License. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier occupations.' whatever might befall. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fact, we may call it conclusive." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study when you have done it." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was me." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, discontent upon his features. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does from the brougham. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the whereabouts. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he examine." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient something of him before." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. at my own good fortune. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You think so, too?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. evidence," I remarked. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No call you and give you the chance." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was keenly on my guard against him. "I would give my fortune to have them back." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and himself. until night should bring an explanation. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. there when the Rucastles went away." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The vanishing of the lady." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'And the work?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, house for five minutes.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Well?" she to prove their authenticity?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to change my dress. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Yes." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the date of his supposed suicide." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you father's young wife. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, anything to do with the matter?" his wife has ceased to love him." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that you saw all that I did." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year learned something! Where are the gems?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "The Cedars?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "So I have heard." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of them has the shutters up.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, events, Mr. Windibank!" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "No." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while over with notes and figures. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his call you and give you the chance." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "How on earth--" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And what did you see?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he