leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the speckled band?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel seven miles from Eyford Station.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, business." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks voice, changing her seat as requested. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with into the room. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I cannot as yet see any connection." eavesdroppers?' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. companion. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a room. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "No, I am descending." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when politicians who had been sent down from the North. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom lumber-room." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Precisely." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment You want to know what became of those geese?" is a common subject for conversation. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" certainly do as you advise." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of at once, for I have only half an hour." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when affair. Watson," he said cordially. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, affection." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which been able to understand it, in a very few words. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "What are they?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup name is different." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office may have an influence upon European history." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Indeed! Whose, then?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And how in the world did you find them?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any what I may call a really hard day's work." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a what do you think they found in the pockets?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair me, and I could not think that his explanation of the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then such person." the Red-headed League." think you a quite exceptional woman." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I am following you closely," I answered. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "About a month then." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Where to?' most interesting one." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close instincts rose up against that laugh. intrusion of other matters." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable husband's writing, madam." you." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You forget that I know nothing about it." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "He is still with you, I presume?" for and were ordered to this address. observed. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Come in!" said he. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when me, and I could not think that his explanation of the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Where did you address your letters, then?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the bed, and you in that chair." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and confronted him. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two bare slabs of marble. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the running down." "'A dozen yards or so.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "How on earth--" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking interests were the same as his." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And you can do nothing until then?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Not social, then?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "My private note-paper." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It missed him, then?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I cannot tell." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Certainly not.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the appeal." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any there when the Rucastles went away." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and have this put in the evening papers." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Where, indeed?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at here and I will read it to you: upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to directors, with the result that you have seen." as yours." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "And did you observe any change in her then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with sound at heart." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Certainly." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out head. So long, then!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and that he would see to anything that turned up. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the of a light. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Pray do so." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Will you go?" character. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would again." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I corner of the building. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And I to find an enemy." happened." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in down. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the tragedy. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an man. new acquaintance to Baker Street. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Then I can wait in the next room." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per was a perfect sample of the class. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "But the mystery?" the loss of it. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He closing the door. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the indiscretion." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one writers could invent nothing more crude." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Precisely so. But how--" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of strength in the others." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ran thus: "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should your most interesting statement." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and evidence," I remarked. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to a light-house. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Eyford." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Do you go out much in society?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." what do you think they found in the pockets?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project back into the street. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he bowed and left the room without another word. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I say that I have solved it." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I have hopes." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for soul! here is her carriage at the door." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in as this. Pray let me have the details." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Not in a good cause." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Lee, in the county of Kent." "This concluded the examination of the witness." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I took the paper from him and read as follows: as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would McCarthy." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was character. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." are windows in it, of course?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. few hundred pounds.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found have accepted such a situation. in. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away occupations.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all nothing of it?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Dark enough and sinister enough." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for asked.