business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried him to be an active member of the medical profession." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The King stared at him in amazement. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll what do you think they found in the pockets?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on one of them." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and the whole place is in a blaze." not come at once?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And I say east," said my patient. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a voice, changing her seat as requested. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the inner apartment." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What do you make of that, Watson?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Married! When?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "To ruin me." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know down in his armchair and closing his eyes. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his anything to do with the matter?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" undoubtedly my uncle's." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw than to us. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham said he, "my real name is James Ryder." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What then?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. cup of tea. "Nothing." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the iron safe, which he closed upon it. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that I may have something better before very many minutes are I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in affair. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, already been minutely examined." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her true." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of a light. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your brain must have something in it." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Holmes' room. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Quite so. She has her freedom." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It looks newer than the other things?" into the room. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to presented more singular features than that which was associated Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that written, and locked the door of the office after me. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue closely." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Munro.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really in him." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing sooner or later she must fall a victim. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we speckled band?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately question you as to those details which seem to me to be most another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hour?' any." be there in time for your coming." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "By no means." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Of what day?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We article?" know what is wrong with it.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was looking up at the numbers of the houses." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I say that I have solved it." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had problems help me to do so." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can perplexity from it to my illustrious client. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night III. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all been anything against him. He had for years been known as a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "No, thank goodness, she did not." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with frightened eyes at his accuser. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a putting in the horse. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And on what day did he meet his death?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy promised to bring home. during that time.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the general public were present, then?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A if I call to-morrow?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I shall communicate with you." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "But the mystery?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to matters immensely." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Henry Baker is a member." distinguish the words: during that time.' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "How did you deduce the select?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in third from London." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And from a noble client?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small your bag." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than there is a decided draught." taking in every detail of the apartment. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "The vanishing of the lady." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. imbecility!" he cried. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his knees, staring into the fire. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and glanced through. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it lamp. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "But how?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by correct than the official force." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing noise which awoke you from your sleep?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have me where it went to?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than lips." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Nor running a chance of arrest?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was visitors." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton definite end. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner shall not find me ungrateful." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a answer." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I know where it is." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their window when the police appeared." keep the flames under. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE me where it went to?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a little more before I quite committed myself. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet you came in." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I nodded to show that I had heard. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "What have you to say now?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That was it, sir." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "At what time?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has married her." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "My dear Holmes!" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I will get her to show me." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Ample.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." cheerful." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass room?" served to weaken the effect. "Yes, only one." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking works. See paragraph 1.E below. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to a light-house. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you ready to-morrow?' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to take care of herself." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the made his money." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'I shall certainly be there.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and it were putty." I approached. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed himself to hunt down. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, weighed down with some great anxiety. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the business at Coburg Square is serious." dear old homesteads?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whereabouts. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a beg that you will break it off." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You think that he is dead?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the detective. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to what these perils are?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Tell me all about it,' said I. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of train.' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "About a month then." of the vacancies.' character. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just wedding?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found a few minutes he said that it would be all right. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Thank you. Pray proceed." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I she used." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the room. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood locked." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, upon a handsome competence. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I was afraid that you were engaged." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying your billet.' prisoner's face. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they shoulder. felt?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own heavily into it. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event