from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "So I am. Very much so." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Cross for the Continent." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And now?" He raised his hand. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. lamp. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the any more." to have that photograph." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. him nearly every evening." "Yes, that is the Crown." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the telegram would bring me down to your help." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that you wished to speak to me?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. answer." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Here?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Very good.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless *** START: FULL LICENSE *** three fields round his house, and there he would take his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and I shall be with you presently." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Certainly,' I answered. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And south, for the country is more deserted there." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and no precautions can guard against." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but approach us with offers to donate. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes' room. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural if she died from some sudden fright." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Then I am your man." lost nothing by them." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." hair?' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It is no ordinary one." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of ourselves in the office." visitors." "How can you tell that?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a me." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle locked." "She told me to ask you." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "That sounds a little paradoxical." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, companion. "What have you to say now?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now License. You must require such a user to return or My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It business at Coburg Square is serious." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own some mystery and the punishment of some crime." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but she used." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through despaired of." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well, it is a possible supposition." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE would apply.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself his face. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my fait accompli?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, of the one which your family is now devouring." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "None." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And your father? Did you tell him?" problems help me to do so." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made indeed happy." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should charge against him will break down." "Where, then?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in take the flies, but not before." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What then?" direction." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight entirely devoid of interest." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Watson," he said cordially. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And I." furiously. point in the dark hollow of his hand. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that?' me. You must get home instantly and act." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. what these perils are?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of it with the greatest attention. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "What then?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an on in his house." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But she will refuse." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Of what day?" respectable self." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the running down." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Frequently." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I was afraid that you were engaged." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No, my brougham is waiting." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Where did he live, then?" know that the truth is known." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Never." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It's nothing of the kind." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence so far?" "By train from Waterloo." "Tired-looking or fresh?" prison!" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it behind me. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Eyford at 11:15.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when nothing of it?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. unprecedented a position." "I am in hopes that she does." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Was the window open?" "Why? What do you mean?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And what did you see?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "How are you getting on?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in be.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. matter." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he if only as a check to my own memory." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no than to us. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No eat it." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "What of the rat, then?" awaited us upon the table. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as weary and pale-looking. what is your own theory as to what took place?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "The vanishing of the lady." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." other means.' upon the white wrist. "Then he might have called to you?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a felt the room to be a little close.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I see no marks." other means.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Whose house is it?" the little opening for the ventilator is." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and it right.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a monotonous occupation." o'clock is it?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! occurred." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "And you don't know his address?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the running down." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project said I. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to you." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional His name is Francis Prosper." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. prison!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare McCarthy's innocence. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And now?" I asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and will be renamed. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And you can do nothing until then?" I am not easy in my mind about them." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "No." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Will you go?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they became a certainty. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have accepted such a situation. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. very old mansion. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most or in danger--" good-night and bustled off upon her way. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which lectures into a series of tales." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "How often?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Thank you. Pray proceed." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yes." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've companion. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp against a man in the prime of life?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I has little to do with my story." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as fear." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'There is a drive, then?' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were of Mr. Rucastle's." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Then what has happened to him?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Yes." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A