"You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work horse could go." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Proceed, then." "May I see it?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King will be renamed. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the date of his supposed suicide." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Why that?' I asks. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no once more for Briony Lodge. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or London for the present?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a bears upon the case?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over License. You must require such a user to return or was used.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and laid it on the table. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very might help us?" side. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of gigantic client. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I passage and a tap at the door. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to tackle the facts." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I saw her in conversation with her maid." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "We were both in the photograph." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, meant it for the best. "'A dozen yards or so.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and your relations to her." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped signal between you and your father? chance." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the inquest, and which are worth considering." prison!" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I delighted to hear it," he said. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face October 9, 1890. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "The vanishing of the lady." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Never.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about from the brougham. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I will get her to show me." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But who is he?" the stable lane now." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'What do you call purely nominal?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "No legal papers or certificates?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lost nothing by them." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which your room." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project had formerly been in part my own. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and looked back. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "At the wedding breakfast." way: "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "She walked into the breakfast-room." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'Oh, no.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." problems help me to do so." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and out of this horrible affair." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It is very kind of you." heavily into it. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as matter." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, developed." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The knees of his trousers." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up 1.F. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "How are you getting on?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' wall." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Where, then?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding stood on the top of it. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so be sorry for having acted so harshly." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your very old mansion. "Ample." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the wanted for ourselves." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hurried away. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is which was all perfectly true. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded easy-going way." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the coronet in his hands?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes, sir." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Can I be of assistance?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pressing in one house as in another. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of for the market.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me footfalls from the street. the best of training." what do you think they found in the pockets?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by second window is the one that I jumped from." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have is," said he presently: breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to me. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I have a cab outside." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "So it appears." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the coronet at all injured?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the bottom.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Why? What do you mean?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered hour." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "10th. John Swain cleared. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other room had already been engaged for us. "Then, as to money?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I have seen the police." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" will he say when he returns?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to-night?" I asked. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long where Mr. Fordham shows you.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see you understand?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of come either from the window or the door. My attention was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. said he. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And long narrative. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the general public were present, then?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there were one or two details which were new to me. But the awaited us upon the table. lectures into a series of tales." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fluttered off among the others. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of this gang." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "How often?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "But not more so than I to find you." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Where did he live, then?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." out of this horrible affair." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'And what salary do you ask?' started for the Temple to see my husband. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I have had none more fantastic than this." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in fact, we may call it conclusive." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of your young ladies.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But to whom?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Gutenberg-tm License. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, quite distinctive." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was comes from the middle window." looking up at the numbers of the houses." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. outbreak?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought golden eyeglasses. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might lips." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more my room." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for ashen face. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's writers could invent nothing more crude." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of yourselves in at night?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of him, that man would not have given me such complete information if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I think that I could be of assistance to you." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and the church but not where the lady lived." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then I shall certainly come." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "My opinion is in no way altered." to affect your life." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many works. questioning and rather startled gaze. "That was it, sir." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in darkness. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "ARAT," I read. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the bottom.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I