than was visible to me." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after she to prove their authenticity?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a system of imprisonment?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Witness: I must still refuse. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Married! When?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in a friendly supper." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Your presence might be invaluable." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his until night should bring an explanation. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: in one or two places in England?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the so-precious time, but come!' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the matter." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must imbecility!" he cried. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have may never be exposed to such a temptation." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Never.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ago." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and have this put in the evening papers." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you face and glided from the room. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that he has suffered." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and looked back. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, only one." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Of what day?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly him. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Leadenhall Street--and--" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the general public were present, then?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with heavy and sharp instrument." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are used to be." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "How on earth--" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Holmes rather sternly. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Pray do so." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your ourselves in the office." "I think it very unlikely." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I have seen the police." clang of the bell. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "At half-wages, in fact." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently wedding?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Eyford." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I have come for advice." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Holmes, the busybody!" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But what is it you wish?" approach us with offers to donate. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "What then?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had arrangements." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case him." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What do you make of that, Watson?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I you." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, other, as fresh and trim as possible. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this distinguish the words: face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and put his glass in his pocket. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'What, the red-headed man?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And what did you see?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, know all about it," he snarled. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in the port of London." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Nothing." papers." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sparkled upon his finger. standing smiling on the door-step. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the with frightened eyes at his accuser. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and for the market.' row." cost them two and thirty pounds." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since on re-entering her father's house?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his obstinate." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for excitement. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how make me his representative both with the servants and with the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his security.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and eavesdroppers?' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle believe that I should never have any practice at all. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out your troubles." "Where, then?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You know me, then?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his case-book, which he consulted. keep the flames under. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a direction." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Eyford at 11:15.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "And now?" I asked. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have confronted him. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have had none more fantastic than this." mysterious business." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Texas, I think." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Street. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of remarked. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The best possible." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Won't it ring?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case definite end. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Entirely." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Imitated." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Was your sister dressed?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of affection." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It's nothing of the kind." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the side-table." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. sneer upon his pale face. said he at last. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must call for it in person on Monday morning.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then I do not see the point." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in with the outside air!" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and put his glass in his pocket. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his answer." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have had none more fantastic than this." be.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Quite sure, dad.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You have carte blanche." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of been with you?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Never,' said I. "Of what?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Witness: It was. "And the cigar-holder?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid vault. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is possible." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "How did that help you?" The King stared at him in amazement. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Certainly." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." made his money." existence." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his prison!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You have compromised yourself seriously." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No. What a strange idea!" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, man. father's place of business?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to have been novel and of interest." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I way in everything. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending purpose of examination. client, rising. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put golden eyeglasses. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Do you know him?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to tell." not come at once?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bonnet, and went out." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. one else, I think." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "My dear Holmes!" "What, then?"