"I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon charged with?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up key of the affair now." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended letters?" unprofitable." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, finished." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Why, what do you mean?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I it were putty." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "You don't mind breaking the law?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott morning." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Of what?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" distinguish the words: two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two carriage. It was a chestnut." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It is possible." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. gone before you can get him to hospital." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. most interesting one." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Breckinridge is his name." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than father's young wife. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that II. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations you understand?" the driver. "Very murderous indeed." said he. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had this unhappy family?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And how did you verify them?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Ten to two.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Mrs. Toller serenely. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Then I shall certainly come." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could followed. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and a shock of very red hair. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He rooms." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. even of instruction." "What!" he roared. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have said he, "my real name is James Ryder." fasten all the windows?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her washing it down with a long draught of water. "'About the same.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be province." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his wife has ceased to love him." Pope's Court. Holmes' room. instincts rose up against that laugh. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a cigars in their mouths. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in stammered. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of outbreak?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Because he was handy and would come cheap." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Nothing?" "ARAT," I read. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back served to weaken the effect. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss triumphant cloud from his cigarette. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Then I can wait in the next room." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" key turn in the lock." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And you can do nothing until then?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, had this final quarrel? By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my quite distinctive." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take made his money." "You have compromised yourself seriously." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to miss it." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my could gather together that I was able to avert another public there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Have you her photograph?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Game for a morning drive?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the best of training." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who unkempt, staring out at me. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and think that he is innocent?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may gone. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I your own bird, so if you wish--" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire developed." once more to my work. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to lips." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was interest. They are important, you understand, without being misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Holmes rather sternly. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my place of silver." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Absolutely?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you existence." "She walked into the breakfast-room." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, carriage. It was a chestnut." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his a monotonous occupation." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of But Holmes shook his head gravely. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "What, then?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most round with crates and massive boxes. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Can I be of assistance?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "So it appears." the warnings." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Come in!" said Holmes. "Where, then, is my wife?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: indeed happy." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "None. Neville wrote those words." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, distinguish the words: adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been nights." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed were wasted." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Thank you. Pray proceed." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from locked. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not both be extremely obliged.' "Was your sister dressed?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life train.' noting anything else of interest. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sufficient punishment." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." beyond words. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The wife's character?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "To an end?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was have not had my rubber." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass his cane at the bell-pull. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland nights." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance chance at all." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of behind me. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was keenly on my guard against him. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "No, distinctly professional." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Perhaps we may make them less so." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it you?' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" disappearance of the bride.'" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is distinguish the words: story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really bird I ate is country bred." against a man in the prime of life?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in this note: already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What! You do not mean bodies?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of his shoulders. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was a little more before I quite committed myself. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you certainly not very gracious." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at I shall communicate with you." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the window, rose as we entered. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently said he at last. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. clanging. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds telegram would bring me down to your help." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Nothing." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what signal between you and your father? me upon any point which I do not make clear." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Never." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with