works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You think so, too?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, that is the Crown." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I am following you closely," I answered. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, my brougham is waiting." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Eyford at 11:15.' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'I have heard so.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, my room." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would events, Mr. Windibank!" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that he has suffered." "Always." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, arrangements." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, washing it down with a long draught of water. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Oh, yes, easily." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a than was visible to me." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern have established a very serious case against the son of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "My own seal." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want to talk it over. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Witness: It was. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It is his hat." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the foot. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have not had my rubber." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the introspective fashion. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the coronet at all injured?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given happened." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Holmes' face clouded over. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." interest. They are important, you understand, without being I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary conversation I have gathered that they have been married about as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite started for the Temple to see my husband. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, his wife has ceased to love him." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery already referred to. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal been with you?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. second window is the one that I jumped from." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very at a side door. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of it with the greatest attention. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that never to learn it at all." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "To the police?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Did he not advertise?" there was no need for father to know." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have I gained?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" copied or distributed: golden eyeglasses. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have nights." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Not I." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she results." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'Ample.' not, dad?" she asked. sufficient punishment." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of your young ladies.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Come in!" said he. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and put his glass in his pocket. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I am following you closely," I answered. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter 1.E.9. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cigar and let me expound." do.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It looks newer than the other things?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that believe that I should never have any practice at all. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Was she in good spirits?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in his hands." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the nursery. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel weighed down with some great anxiety. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "The best possible." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. papers on the sundial.'" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "She told me to ask you." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she that you wished to speak to me?' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for be sorry for having acted so harshly." felt the room to be a little close.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "My opinion is in no way altered." purpose equally well?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave foot. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "A client, then?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My keep the flames under. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia country, and eventually married, without anyone having a place of silver." certainly not very gracious." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I have a cab outside." "Very truly yours, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should him and tried to hold him back. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sooner or later she must fall a victim. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the coronet in his hand?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said he. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And what then?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of Mr. Rucastle's." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I should like to see him very much." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is said I. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. yet." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted call it cruel." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Holmes' room. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and go from here to the Strand." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been success. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Where did he live, then?" something of him before." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary soul! here is her carriage at the door." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, one of them." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Perhaps I have." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. have had none more fantastic than this." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in he died? "Yes." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "But you were on a friendly footing?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it any little problem which you may submit to me." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. bird I ate is country bred." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took be. For additional contact information: the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you is four-and-twenty." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace who was a member of your goose club." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and some city in a dream. "My opinion is in no way altered." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Yes, only one." goes." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "An accident, I presume?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I future lives." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "That you are never beaten." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is depend upon your compliance." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off outbreak?" "I am sure." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of your young ladies.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with you?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless such person." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few looking up at the numbers of the houses." business came to an end." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of what do you think they found in the pockets?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Tired-looking or fresh?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been me. You must get home instantly and act." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and looked back. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She events, Mr. Windibank!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I beg pardon." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer as yours." strength in the others." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Is purely nominal.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Lee, in the county of Kent." delighted to hear it," he said. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the inquest, and which are worth considering." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Why, what do you mean?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office