with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? beg that you will break it off." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of formed some opinion?" even so self-evident a thing as that." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and works. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men lamp. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What do you mean?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in rose-bushes. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right prison!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the salesman. row." maid will bring up your coffee." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through business?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Imitated." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' wife's character?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the strength of mind to control. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William morning." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'A dozen yards or so.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I took the paper from him and read as follows: wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of lost nothing by them." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently corner of the building. "'About the same.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "In which, sir?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were three fields round his house, and there he would take his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his fortune, and I went back to pa. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "And you don't know his address?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's friends, not even his own brother. but preventing her from injuring another. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local some city in a dream. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "To an end?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe upon the sideboard." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, so.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Cross for the Continent." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' face and glided from the room. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade himself in a perplexing position. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold respectable self." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is very kind of you." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger advice." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined have accepted such a situation. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I am to be neutral?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Was she in good spirits?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Never to return." really the only notable feature about the thing." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is be.' a room. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the door?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more papers must be those that are destroyed.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of as noiselessly as she had come. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." he. the south-west, I see." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the Assizes." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "That is unusual in a young girl." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered forebodings. "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, strode off upon his way. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better corner of the building. papers must be those that are destroyed.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Where is it, then?" late." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there has been an enclosure here!" "It is half-past ten now." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Quite so." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" see a sister of mine apply for." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Have you her photograph?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of when you have done it." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "A client, then?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about is a common subject for conversation. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "We were both in the photograph." "I am to be neutral?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Where did he live, then?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Precisely." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my before, for it was considerably after midnight. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions showing my impatience. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell would apply.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "In answer to an advertisement." "Was she in good spirits?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And who is her maid?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the matter." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "About a month then." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that even of instruction." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was already answered. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to fishes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to tell." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Precisely so. But how--" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Henry Baker is a member." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But what will you do?" breakfast?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole light and attacked it." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Countess of Morcar's?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hard-headed British jury." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is tail." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "What are they?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of a light. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that examine." this remarkable episode. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to way: in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, discontent upon his features. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Very truly yours, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What! Had he lost his wife?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "From his hat?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his eyes and forehead. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I cannot think." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events with you alone." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the running down." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all instituted." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, really the only notable feature about the thing." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Serpentine Avenue. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the this man was intellectual?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her."