no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I came to find a friend." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "How on earth--" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'In my own bureau.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Never." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and deduce something from that?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense father's young wife. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of Mr. Rucastle's." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. thirty. noble correspondent could be. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me October 9, 1890. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the promised to bring home. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the important." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "No, thank goodness, she did not." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." returning from some small jollification and was making his way it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the unprecedented a position." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of developed." "'As governess?' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship something of him before." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Yesterday." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed time." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Which dealer's?' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I own family. cause to be." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Ample.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent intimate personal affairs in this public manner." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's signal between you and your father? "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "What steps will you take?" I asked. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time points in connection with it which never have been, and probably never came back." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause foresight and the moral retrogression?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Ten to two.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ceremony." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present go back?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no seen the man in the road." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I know where it is." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" she might be summoned. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. lamp in his hand. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out front of the hall door has given its name to the place. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it power." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon colour had been driven from his face. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less compunction about shooting them down." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." It may be so in this case, also." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "ARAT," I read. upon the white wrist. man. I know him from the photograph." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away populous neighbourhood." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I am about to be married." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to footfalls from the street. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Have you it here?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down business." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the said he. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "My dear Holmes!" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "9th. McCauley cleared. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of at once, for I have only half an hour." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was a lad." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the pressing in one house as in another. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "But what harm can there be in that?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull bachelor.' page at http://pglaf.org "The doctor?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent salesman. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in darkness. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you who was a member of your goose club." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This there was no need for father to know." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and all of them with the keenest interest. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are during which he might have communicated with his friend the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And did you observe any change in her then?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first in one or two places in England?' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, closing the door. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall directors, with the result that you have seen." bonnet, and went out." me where it went to?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My three fields round his house, and there he would take his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time served to weaken the effect. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Absolutely none." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a rat could hardly pass through." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "And your mother is alive?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he sneer upon his pale face. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he details should find their way into the papers. Inspector gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I took the paper from him and read as follows: Sutherland. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" been shamefully used." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice The events in question occurred in the early days of my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "How about poison?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Holmes." own family. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "He disappeared so suddenly." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'You cannot say what it was?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I came to find a friend." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "On the contrary, this is the right side." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "My dear Holmes!" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of affair. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Stoke Moran?" said he. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Get out!" said he. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Yes, it was gone.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently train.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Watson," he said cordially. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "How can you tell that?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" investigation." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking could not account in any way for the presence of the missing however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. lamp. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "No, but the enclosure is." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself unclasping of his long thin hands. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away directly by questioning you." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to heavy and sharp instrument." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, some hundreds of times." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed went to the Alpha were town bred." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in bare slabs of marble. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? my special province." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Stoke Moran." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until relief. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, you in yours." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely my secret was safe in his possession. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Yes, from Horsham." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It was a confession," I ejaculated. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "He slept on the premises." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really could not have written that. It is the German who is so which I could not give. He asked for Alice. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to that he has suffered." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, off." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that vanished into the darkness. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not matter over." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You were travelling in the States?" "In which, sir?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't third from London." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you which we had just quitted. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I am sure." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first down in his armchair and closing his eyes. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of