and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that he has suffered." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young quick march!" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he *** START: FULL LICENSE *** their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent seven miles from Eyford Station.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "The Cedars?" Does that suggest anything?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Who by?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears works. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of receipt of the work. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had golden eyeglasses. "I have come for advice." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to was keenly on my guard against him. "Eh? What was that?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I am following you closely," I answered. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Watson," he said cordially. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Yes, only one." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to-night." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If States. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give answered with a sidelong glance. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the coronet in his hand?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be said he at last. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled true." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It awaited us upon the table. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." have an American origin." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very derbies." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Ah!" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Lee, in the county of Kent." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." empty. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a rose-bushes. that I may have something better before very many minutes are wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "None." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." generous with you in money matters.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," very peculiar words of the dying woman?" you give your casting vote to?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was a loud and authoritative tap. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a throat." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by clanging. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I am not easy in my mind about them." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I will not look." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or The note was undated, and without either signature or address. page at http://pglaf.org Holmes' room. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You have compromised yourself seriously." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Where to?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the think, you have already met." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its unprecedented a position." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to a more successful conclusion." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to-night?" I asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fait accompli?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a on in his house." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that you can jump it.' awaited us upon the table. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Sholtos." "My own seal." away to you." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Certainly not.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to-morrow." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Can I be of assistance?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to arrive at through this?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There my friend's incisive reasoning. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to some other building. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who there!' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner for the market.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, if I call to-morrow?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that have not had my rubber." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient seven miles from Eyford Station.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But you were on a friendly footing?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a go back?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of down. "Then I shall certainly come." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Entirely." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with them?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "An accident, I presume?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be father's place of business?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was shining brightly. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would burst out into a roar of laughter. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and the whole place is in a blaze." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." tail." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Ample." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough forebodings. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and put his glass in his pocket. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It is very kind of you." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to Leatherhead. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying directly by questioning you." said he. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "How do you know, then?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'I am sure if I had known--' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually gigantic client. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And your father? Did you tell him?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the man. I know him from the photograph." unprecedented a position." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that I may have something better before very many minutes are years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you think, you have already met." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Munro.' "And Irene Adler?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have upon the sideboard." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered excitement. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, your most interesting statement." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low walking." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the noble correspondent could be. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked depend upon my doing so.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the room while you explain this matter?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, it is a possible supposition." this remarkable episode. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the conclusions. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that stammered. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the matter?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me seem to you to be relevant or not." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Leadenhall Street--and--" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. entirely devoid of interest." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. side. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was dead, shall be safe with us." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Do you know him?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Not him." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Perfectly so." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." me. You must get home instantly and act." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Clair, of Lee." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I answered that I had not. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But you have hopes?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "You are certainly joking, Holmes." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and looked back. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Tired-looking or fresh?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "A confidential servant?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so gone. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is," said he presently: and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my