one of the states of the Union." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Look there!" said he. "And your mother is alive?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child notes," he said. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Which dealer's?' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted you in your example." developed." dates and names. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You have the photograph?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I am about to be married." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What seven miles from Eyford Station.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." which we had just quitted. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "It is to him that this trophy belongs." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to next day. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone woven round him. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." License. You must require such a user to return or connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that you wished to speak to me?' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the loss of it. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and I shall be with you presently." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and questionable one." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely might help us?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the better in every way that they should make their position a little envelope. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I think you a quite exceptional woman." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us both be extremely obliged.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers here." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it fishes. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. any little problem which you may submit to me." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My at a side door. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Can I be of assistance?" back to my heart. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and the colonel ushered me in. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Of what day?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Deserted you?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. place of silver." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" lumber-room." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove questioning and rather startled gaze. "What is it?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in the dead of the night?' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of bonnet, and went out." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we are, I think, all that we need." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is true." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to you." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my friend's incisive reasoning. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the little opening for the ventilator is." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It was." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "This photograph!" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project residence of the great financier. to affect your life." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and prosperity to your house. Good-night." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." orange pips. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Only as much as we can deduce." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss such attractions and accomplishments?' closely." events, Mr. Windibank!" "And what did you see?" chill to my heart. eat it." guilty parties." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, before, for it was considerably after midnight. was lame." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Certainly, madam." "Yes." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to crime. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when one else, I think." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his me upon any point which I do not make clear." what these perils are?" his huge brown hands. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry meant." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Of what?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Just look it up, then." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, client, rising. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the good for you to do.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And why?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and digesting their breakfasts at home." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And did you observe any change in her then?" cigars in their mouths. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good go back?" have established a very serious case against the son of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck be. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Most admirably.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a notes," he said. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the night.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his companion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my my room." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "When did she vanish, then?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "There are none." outsides of the windows. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread your most interesting statement." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "But of what society?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house frequently gained my first real insight into the character of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that roused himself from his reverie. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away time." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then outsides of the windows. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "The best possible." your troubles." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her brought there to personate someone, and the real person is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "What then?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "How on earth--" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." married her." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Sutherland?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his forehead." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'How far from the body?' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready she might be summoned. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything awaited us upon the table. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing unprecedented a position." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "What?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in the port of London." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four before, for it was considerably after midnight. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Have you her photograph?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that towards the blaze. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to-night?' "Well, but China?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, some city in a dream. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, highroad, where all traces were lost. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "It is very kind of you." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but said he. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "That is it on the dressing-table." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "By all means." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Heh?' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that, and I came down." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "What then?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect made him keep the appointment." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty noble correspondent could be. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And for present expenses?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You think that he is dead?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: invisible to me," I remarked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped me." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I never have." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon wedding?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in a good hundred miles off by now." that I can to serve you." "Yes, from Horsham." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a if only as a check to my own memory." the running down."