lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Miss Holder?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the matter?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I will, Miss Turner." nonsense.' investigation." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. way: of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "We were both in the photograph." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew clanging. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous criminal. We have already had experience of such." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the your only hope of safety." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of just ask you whether you had heard it.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Nothing?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of the vacancies.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, vanished into the darkness. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now you want, then?' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the My friend smiled. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I will get her to show me." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being persecution?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hurried away. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." drawing your inferences." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public other means.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "How did you trace it, then?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am ready to-morrow?' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" business at Coburg Square is serious." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of to-night's adventure." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every for and were ordered to this address. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria once more on the important position which you have been fortunate other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I see many objections to any such theory." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a vault. "No?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to bird of prey. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Look there!" said he. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father sooner or later she must fall a victim. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It is very kind of you." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of Mr. Rucastle's." house for five minutes.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Ha! you find it so?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we helping a boy to put up the shutters. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter over." his wife has ceased to love him." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, crowd. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I will, Miss Turner." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his if only as a check to my own memory." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I have my revolver," said I. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to strong and stiff." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for remarked. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the interested in these little problems, and since you are good delighted to hear it," he said. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole You want to know what became of those geese?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his been shamefully used." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "By all means." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It was." nonsense.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "But his lameness?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pierced for earrings?" little adventures." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith way in." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "That is it on the dressing-table." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It came here." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in on in his house." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a think you a quite exceptional woman." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from other, as fresh and trim as possible. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I nodded again. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and capable of preserving a secret.' the roots. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." room had already been engaged for us. keep the flames under. the inquest, and which are worth considering." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And what did you learn from him?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of gives a meaning to it." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Will you go?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for our word." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "And now?" He raised his hand. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fact, we may call it conclusive." astonishment. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the you." everything which you would wish to know." papers." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that true." key of the affair now." fasten all the windows?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door From what you have told me I think that it is possible that through." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy thought that she would have been so carried away." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Why did you pick him?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the driver. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Not I." been deceived." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need detective. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been client, rising. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out examine." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it constraint." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Nothing." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own front of me. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "And your father? Did you tell him?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Heh?' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "She will not sell." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Married! When?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and whole matter to your consideration." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And your mother is alive?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yes, they were peculiar boots." maiden herself was most instructive." wedding?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a than to us. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Perhaps I have." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the soul! here is her carriage at the door." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Not yet." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, burst out into a roar of laughter. that I may have something better before very many minutes are at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was again on its way. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned way: meant." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger into the bag, and made for the door. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their important." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the wedding?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I less than 26s. 4d. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You have compromised yourself seriously." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "No, my brougham is waiting." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long lamp in his hand. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the said I. that he has suffered." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the too. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "None." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Why did you beat the pavement?" weary and pale-looking. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, this man was intellectual?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end