man. to-morrow." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. questionable one." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came already been minutely examined." "Could he throw no light?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Has he come with you to-night?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I am not easy in my mind about them." sofa. This way, please!" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad more solid." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided yourselves in at night?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw back to my heart. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in darkness. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Perfectly so." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." your Highness to the police-station?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Precisely so. But how--" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "What then?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And how did you find out?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hereditary King of Bohemia." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from your bag." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation swore that no one else had been in the front room during the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Is he quiet?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a skylight. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, arrested. You then--" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of little adventures." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and public press." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Here?" pierced for earrings?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE points to suicide?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was feeling which was the fattest.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the night.' plantation.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible humiliation." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until details should find their way into the papers. Inspector shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was outside. the night.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of must be when I saw the door open.' hurried away. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." upon the shelf for the interim." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared it with his own hands." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time on in his house." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But you would not advise me to refuse?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Holmes' face clouded over. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a know all about it," he snarled. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to have been novel and of interest." strong and stiff." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I open." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Will you bet, then?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony directors have had misgivings upon the subject." head. So long, then!" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of mysterious end." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an your Highness to the police-station?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Gutenberg-tm License. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as words came to my lips. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the how narrow had been my escape. without a word or a look. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a ways of our fellow-men." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. into the bag, and made for the door. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable 1.E.9. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Of what day?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Where did he live, then?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and bled considerably." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Where, then, is my wife?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You horrify me." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have me. You must get home instantly and act." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon know all about it," he snarled. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a entirely devoid of interest." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "How many? I don't know." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "We were both in the photograph." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and laid it on the table. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he really the only notable feature about the thing." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And how did you verify them?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Then I can wait in the next room." later, upon the night of May 2nd." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to Leatherhead. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. way: call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "What! a murderous attack?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit exactly what you advise." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless upon a handsome competence. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I What do you deduce from it?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Quite sure, dad.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the at a side door. one of the states of the Union." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have established a very serious case against the son of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I was afraid that you were engaged." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Frequently." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course His name is Francis Prosper." was not a bird to be seen there. excitement. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," do.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, weary and pale-looking. "Precisely." page at http://pglaf.org away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of felt the room to be a little close.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself not come at once?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed must compliment you." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and few hundred pounds.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I nodded to show that I had heard. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in the dead of the night?' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I am not easy in my mind about them." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "No, finished." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "She showed me, as I told you she would." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at what I may call a really hard day's work." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the instincts rose up against that laugh. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "It must be recovered." fear." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the running down." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Pope's Court. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Then how many are there?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a father's place of business?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "But how?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "And how did you find out?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the you do it in twenty minutes!' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that should be so warm over such a trifle." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What affection."