monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Street. reach." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shoulder; "he's all right." front of me. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'And what salary do you ask?' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, him to go away.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no ashen face. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What! Had he lost his wife?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'What, the red-headed man?' rooms." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three this Miss Turner." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that you wished to speak to me?' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "But how?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was a loud and authoritative tap. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I was concerned in it." Holmes' room. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really bird of prey. "Yes." "Yes." once more for Briony Lodge. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was affection." said he. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the sparkled upon his finger. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The vanishing of the lady." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it." instincts rose up against that laugh. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the it were putty." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the would then never go into court at all." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he might help us?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my on re-entering her father's house?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His girl said." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have intimate personal affairs in this public manner." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from remarked. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client envelope. "I will try. What is it?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must strode off upon his way. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me for securing the situation." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes. He waved his hands." hurried by. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'It is locked up,' I answered. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "What of the rat, then?" views." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were new raised from a basin. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the coronet at all injured?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay may have an influence upon European history." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his father's young wife. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a During two years I have had three consultations and one small could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left or in danger--" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I was mad--insane." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And help." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It's nothing of the kind." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "How are you getting on?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And is that all?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was carriage. It was a chestnut." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, house for five minutes.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I have solved it." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I should wish to." "I beg pardon." "Was he the only applicant?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And when will you call?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Only as much as we can deduce." "No?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in your London, you will know that the office of the company is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more roused himself from his reverie. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gone. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into is now desirous of getting those letters back." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given your troubles." Edgeware Road. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be obstinate." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, do.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute works. See paragraph 1.E below. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be be.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. a little more before I quite committed myself. place no limit on the sum I may draw." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Yes, sir.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the pierced for earrings?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any papers diligently of late, have you not?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I am following you closely," I answered. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the one as in the other." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. were unconscious?" posted to-day." is so. I know all about McCarthy." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." at home. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his article?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Arthur Conan Doyle Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." 1.E.9. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "And did you observe any change in her then?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes, only one." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Holmes rather sternly. "Ample." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I shall communicate with you." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not himself to tell his story. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I been able to understand it, in a very few words. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Come in!" said Holmes. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into business came to an end." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. bare slabs of marble. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hair?' Dr. Gregory B. Newby brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And you can do nothing until then?" "The best possible." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is you, my dear young lady?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife promised to bring home. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lamp. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my friend's incisive reasoning. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "He said that you could solve anything." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." which it had come upon my father." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "He slept on the premises." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the stable lane now." to you." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the himself to tell his story. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but morning." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has My friend smiled. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot true." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to said he. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah help us in this matter." had this final quarrel? leave you to your papers for a little." "But of what society?" matters immensely." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to before the coroner and the police-court." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had floor. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke said he. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place green of the new foliage. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Not particularly." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "No. What a strange idea!" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It came here." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of the vacancies.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Holmes' face clouded over. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do shoulder; "he's all right." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw meant it for the best. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?'