here and I will read it to you: woman who has had her own way to make in the world. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at page at http://pglaf.org When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door have been better. It is all right." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of his shoulders. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, DAMAGE. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my name is different." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew feature." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an might have a private word with us. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then, how do you know?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss must be when I saw the door open.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for coroner's jury." "Yes, but only for you and me." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'A dozen yards or so.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece locked. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am appeared upon the scene." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the very morning of the wedding." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful discontent upon his features. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What steps will you take?" I asked. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the tragedy. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that meant it for the best. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the into the room. off." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You think so, too?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "What then?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case figure." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I some water from a caraffe. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Yes.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "None." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "By no means." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" My friend smiled. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Miss Holder?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a good hundred miles off by now." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would keep the flames under. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a forecastle of an emigrant ship. wedding?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall triumphant cloud from his cigarette. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the closing the door. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern highly," said Holmes. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I an introduction to him?" are, and they are waiting for us." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Your presence might be invaluable." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And the murderer?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "But how did you gain them?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "But his left-handedness." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my husband's writing, madam." meanly of me." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to tell." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'In my own bureau.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress papers on the sundial.'" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which we had just quitted. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their over here." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it wedding?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Whose house is it?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "What steps will you take?" I asked. stepfather?" "That is easily got." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which back into the street. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen me upon any point which I do not make clear." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story tightly behind him. him to go away.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the or in danger--" the inner apartment." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and have this put in the evening papers." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. desk. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sufficient punishment." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the dangers which encompass me." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Deserted you?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "You heard nothing yourself last night?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and acted in my house last night?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our affair. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and glanced through. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not opened a pocket-book and took out a note. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No, my brougham is waiting." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away carpenter." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes forehead. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm nothing of it?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "How on earth--" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I have it here in my museum." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "But she will refuse." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I least a fellow-countryman. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the one as in the other." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may of it with the greatest attention. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'You doubt its value?' he asked. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Perhaps I have." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything on in his house." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, generous with you in money matters.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of Mr. Rucastle's." "What office?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it were putty." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." you came in." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an was lame." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Ah!" views." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient learned something! Where are the gems?" him nearly every evening." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so seen the man in the road." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that said I. once more for Briony Lodge. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, hair?' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest less than 26s. 4d. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must as he folded up the epistle. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he was a loud and authoritative tap. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "If I can be of use." "It was." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. said I. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his criminal. We have already had experience of such." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and no precautions can guard against." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most likely to be some crony of the landlady's." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in for the market.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he nights." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to talk it over. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, guilty parties." "Eh? What was that?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "What will you do, then?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and your relations to her." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and such attractions and accomplishments?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "It is half-past ten now." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage without a word or a look. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend forbidden door. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something sparkled upon his finger. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. in his power. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Lee, in the county of Kent." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was lumber-room." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are them present such singular features as the strange train of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in forecastle of an emigrant ship. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a cigars in their mouths. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Nothing." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I fear not." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all companion quietly. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Literary Archive Foundation prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's intimate personal affairs in this public manner." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Yes, but only for you and me." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and tension within him. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'I shall certainly be there.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things