prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he plantation.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "10th. John Swain cleared. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP not interfere, come what may. You understand?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed my special province." business in the City. She little knew what. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yes." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "So it appears." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But he might be a bachelor." This is what he says: his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after three of the beryls in it, was missing. mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might made him keep the appointment." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the outside." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her answer." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." be. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps when your master had gone out." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." were unconscious?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "But we can't all be." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the appointment with me for six o'clock?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The excitement. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two himself to tell his story. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven yet." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied outside." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable use an arc-and-compass breastpin." placed his cuttings. take the flies, but not before." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. people don't know." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And sit in the dark?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which me what he had done with the three missing stones. lumber-room." comes from the middle window." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass danger is over." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "You have a clue?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a signal between you and your father? happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "He is dead," cried several voices. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he father's young wife. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had pictures, libraries, or plate. our word." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly third from London." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And how?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush ceremony." paper in the air. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little shaken than I had ever seen him. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "No good news?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "But not more so than I to find you." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more so far?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my miles off. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of you." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this said he. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Street. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "But what will you do?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the himself in a perplexing position. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking nonsense.' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I have seen the police." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes, at the mines." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Then I am your man." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had chambers. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'Yes, I promise.' coroner's jury." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a mystery." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark criminal. We have already had experience of such." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I shall continue with my miserable story. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Yes, sir." my friend's incisive reasoning. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'What, the red-headed man?' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across that threaten you." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "There are none." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Who was the criminal, then?" "That is easily got." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the morning." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the gives a meaning to it." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all business at Coburg Square is serious." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I cannot think." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Does that suggest anything?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It is no ordinary one." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible carpenter." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I cannot imagine." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "On Monday." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of if she died from some sudden fright." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I cannot think." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. locked." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have business?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some my former friend and companion. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that into the bag, and made for the door. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to a light-house. vault. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It is half-past ten now." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, during that time.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I will try. What is it?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' was already answered. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Edgeware Road. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Then I can wait in the next room." where she found matters as described by the last witness. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did carpenter." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' situation." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And you can do nothing until then?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were light and attacked it." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone upon the sideboard." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Not him." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. go back?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the green of the new foliage. call for it in person on Monday morning.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The telegram which we eventually received came late one night days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Never." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found than was visible to me." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. gbnewby@pglaf.org down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at house for five minutes.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Mrs. Toller serenely. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his man. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and it need not interfere very much with one's other ran thus: writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, miles off. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Very good.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and himself in a perplexing position. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out disappearance of these gems?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That is not always so easy." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "There are none." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Where, then, is my wife?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora away to you." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms States. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, shaken than I had ever seen him. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an depend upon my doing so.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you