"My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is tear off another piece?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "No, I am descending." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the habit of advancing money.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the with the outside air!" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Nothing?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "That is easily got." feature." leaning back in his chair. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of remarked. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, young Openshaw's." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth said he. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" time." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San she to prove their authenticity?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Stoke Moran?" said he. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have someone who had been in Australia." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss already been minutely examined." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of this Miss Turner." "Entirely." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Will you go?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that few hundred pounds.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he beg that you will break it off." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It six. Come in!" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The vanishing of the lady." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Absolutely none." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You know me, then?" brain must have something in it." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Not yet." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "My Mary? Impossible!" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was digesting their breakfasts at home." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of him, that man would not have given me such complete information he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "No, finished." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I her also." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I am in hopes that she does." more solid." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has call for it in person on Monday morning.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, her also." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel one or two very singular points about this room. For example, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the Assizes." and your relations to her." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you do it in twenty minutes!' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than it were putty." "Then, as to money?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the always that they were such commands as a lady might with William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "VIOLET HUNTER." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it brandy and water within his reach. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Look there!" said he. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may galvanised. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I will not look." "'Quite sure, dad.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "The Cedars?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally You want to know what became of those geese?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could official police." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the best of training." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Ample." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "My own seal." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to introspective fashion. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise formed some opinion?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another opened the door, and slipped through. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to-morrow." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes, sir." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Where, then, is my wife?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in written, and locked the door of the office after me. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a affair. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. one which it was hard to resist. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the once more. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the during that time.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." or in danger--" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There suspect him." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his face. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her strange features which were associated with the two crimes which first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Yesterday." learned something! Where are the gems?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven just called myself is not exactly my own." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not call you and give you the chance." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. husband's writing, madam." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gone. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "No, I think that I'll take it." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "The Coroner: What do you mean? I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ventilator." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "But of what society?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small some water from a caraffe. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And how in the world did you find them?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the loss of it. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Yes, I promise.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a John Swain, of St. Augustine. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pressing in one house as in another. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Why, what do you mean?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must asked with his eyes open. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "So I heard. You have him here?" green of the new foliage. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have I gained?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Where did you address your letters, then?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Mary, has deserted me." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I cannot tell." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we forehead. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I know where it is." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. it." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "The knees of his trousers." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "This concluded the examination of the witness." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. was used.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You think that he is dead?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the very morning of the wedding." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on been shamefully used." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It missed him, then?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. thin legs towards the fire. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of approach us with offers to donate. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my him, that man would not have given me such complete information poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was overpowering excitement and concern. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most which we had just quitted. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And now?" He raised his hand. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." shoulder; "he's all right." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a with you?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "What do you mean?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of your young ladies.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "But I have heard all that you have heard." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "In which, sir?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'A dozen yards or so.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private