disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And that is--" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Serpentine Avenue. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to stalked out of the room. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "How did you deduce the select?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and himself to hunt down. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "In San Francisco, a year ago." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Quite so. She has her freedom." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right papers must be those that are destroyed.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must back alive. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "No, I think that I'll take it." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of the way of danger. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I will, Miss Turner." crime." is so. I know all about McCarthy." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of legal crime." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed child?' assist you in forming an opinion." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the garden below. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their horse could go." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora even of instruction." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Dark enough and sinister enough." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes' room. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the one else, I think." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not entirely lost his self-respect." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead introspective fashion. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "What shall I do?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an back into the street. his knees, staring into the fire. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'I am sure that I do not know.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is his hat." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency directors, with the result that you have seen." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is overpowering excitement and concern. thirty. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I have hopes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which are rolled in Rotterdam." guilty one." tightly behind him. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See where we are going." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and four million human beings all jostling each other within the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." himself in a perplexing position. "I will get her to show me." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the with her." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled village inn over there?" as the one I chose?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without from you?" to a more successful conclusion." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Very. But will he see it?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found chance at all." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the date of his supposed suicide." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive some city in a dream. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Farm upon the left." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. answer." one of them." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a passage and a tap at the door. and looked back. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called upon an income of about 60 pounds." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but learned something! Where are the gems?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes, I have one waiting." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage did not hear it also.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and wait." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that you saw all that I did." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Does that suggest anything?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Oh, yes, easily." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." four million human beings all jostling each other within the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I room. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl nonsense.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and your Highness to the police-station?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hour?' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." has little to do with my story." as he folded up the epistle. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Holmes' thin, eager face. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a must be when I saw the door open.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I was concerned in it." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Pray do so." "Just look it up, then." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Always." straighten it?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'I have heard so.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "No, thank goodness, she did not." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been tail." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But how?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will do it." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but respectable self." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could hurried away. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have asked with his eyes open. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I morning." congenial hunt. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me questioning and rather startled gaze. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "We have tried and failed." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that he has suffered." weary and pale-looking. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked upon a handsome competence. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Ample." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to all that?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was feeling which was the fattest.' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "To an end?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Your French gold?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "And when will you call?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 'please.'" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I cannot imagine." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to talk it over. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, highroad, where all traces were lost. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a it. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from man. I know him from the photograph." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Tired-looking or fresh?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Ten to two.' little adventures." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I have hopes." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do him nearly every evening." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have been better. It is all right." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I would give my fortune to have them back." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong over part of the map. "What do you read?" people in all walks of life. directors, with the result that you have seen." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in ceremony." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that I may have something better before very many minutes are black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have an American origin." past. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "My opinion is in no way altered." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "And I." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that words came to my lips. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. together. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in this way: presume?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "You are certainly joking, Holmes." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the nursery. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of so far?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed occupations.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his most interesting one." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." my little problems." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one