and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, the wine-cellar." reach." "No bad?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he place no limit on the sum I may draw." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may call the police, let the police find what they can.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of DAMAGE. crowd. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there disturbance in my wife." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to as yours." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "And what did you see?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "And from a noble client?" waste of energy." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, habit of advancing money.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but I nodded again. back alive. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and have this put in the evening papers." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to some other building. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And I to find an enemy." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Was there a secret marriage?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of Fenchurch Street." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I should be immensely obliged to you." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his time." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would 1.F. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than your Highness to the police-station?" me. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lamp in his hand. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a have not had my rubber." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "My private note-paper." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon begin with, and I had not got mine yet." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old your troubles." man. mysterious end." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another read over the extraordinary announcement. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every soul! here is her carriage at the door." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Where did you address your letters, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. some terrible trap for her." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'I am sure if I had known--' notes," he said. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was once confined in the cab my mission was practically His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to started for the Temple to see my husband. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the devil!" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Yes." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. as yours." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face his huge brown hands. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, not fit the lock." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The said he. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my suddenly upon us." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is constraint." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." cheerful." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the running down." the date of his supposed suicide." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Quite sure, dad.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, ashen face. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of from you?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was you want, then?' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "A confidential servant?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," pictures, libraries, or plate. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. footfalls from the street. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from information in his hands the value of which he did not himself feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "That sounds a little paradoxical." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Never.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It looks newer than the other things?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "A thing like a cleaver," said he. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which handed it to him. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn friends, not even his own brother. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." forbidden door. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Then the page we have seen--" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such like that before?" this Miss Turner." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cigars in their mouths. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that you saw all that I did." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he. Henry Baker is a member." digesting their breakfasts at home." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a from the brougham. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fire. You quite follow me?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I saw her in conversation with her maid." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in place of silver." "Could he throw no light?" Henry Baker is a member." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "About a month then." daring than any effort of the imagination." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, himself in a perplexing position. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think occurred." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." new acquaintance to Baker Street. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I cannot imagine." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Yes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in photograph a cabinet?" "No." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "What, then?" "Entirely." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Pray do so." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" wedding?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in in this note: could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Is purely nominal.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "How about poison?" Arthur Conan Doyle out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "How did that help you?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have been better. It is all right." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call impression behind it as though a window had gently closed simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'About the same.' "My dear Holmes!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And how did he make his money?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But she could not love him." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But he might be a bachelor." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his orange pips. "To the police?" "Married! When?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Ah!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." http://www.gutenberg.net the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some your Highness to the police-station?" questioning and rather startled gaze. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Pray do so." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to you." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady feature." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes your bag." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a grasp, he hurried from the room. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Pool. For additional contact information: down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to where he stood hid behind the curtain. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pound a week." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may held up the lantern and gazed about him. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which started for the Temple to see my husband. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never washing it down with a long draught of water. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always directors, with the result that you have seen." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather,