owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Seven!" I answered. your troubles." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from did not hear it also.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the just called myself is not exactly my own." in his power. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny evidence," I remarked. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'And what are they worth?' I asked. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought be.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to change my dress. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which hands. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." sneer upon his pale face. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been lamp in his hand. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it investigation." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I should like to see him very much." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, unkempt, staring out at me. "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon directors, with the result that you have seen." the date of his supposed suicide." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What have you done?" asked Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "He slept on the premises." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." for the market.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then you may entirely rely on me." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, enter into my head. British peeress.'" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. cup of tea. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "What! Had he lost his wife?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "That's no good." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "That is it on the dressing-table." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal straighten it?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'A dozen yards or so.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What then?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I am all attention, madam." your equipment. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had your sleep?' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be my special province." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small purpose of examination. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress go--none." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to families. Now for the facts. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'What are you doing there?' he asked. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Why that?' I asks. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." you, my dear young lady?' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the general public were present, then?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And for present expenses?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, go back?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." goes." would apply.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the night.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? it means?" "Dirty?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A notes," he said. the one as in the other." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. fishes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that you wished to speak to me?' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the child." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which we had just quitted. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "No, I had a dozen." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered may have an influence upon European history." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the Friday. Was it to be in church?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son she to prove their authenticity?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very legal crime." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But interest. They are important, you understand, without being may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "No?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Witness: I must still refuse. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view comes from the middle window." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it there has been an enclosure here!" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in get her out of the way." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to some other building. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Very truly yours, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You will not go there first?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; papers must be those that are destroyed.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after papers diligently of late, have you not?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the date of his supposed suicide." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, with some details as to your case." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I should like to see him very much." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Did your wife hear all this?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, least a most suspicious remark." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I cannot tell." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "My dear Holmes!" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that before taking the final step I should like to submit the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Witness: I must still refuse. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of relief. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and trying to your nerves." "But what harm can there be in that?" "We were both in the photograph." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I shall most certainly do so." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I am not easy in my mind about them." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Pray do so." you." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Then I do not see the point." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "On your arm?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than forecastle of an emigrant ship. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the legal crime." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no front of the hall door has given its name to the place. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can your co-operation." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not there has been an enclosure here!" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then I shall certainly come." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, I think that I'll take it." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and the colonel ushered me in. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "His face fell immediately. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My are, I think, all that we need." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself completely overtopped every other consideration that we both was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in a friendly supper." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. easy-going way." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Because he was handy and would come cheap." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is conduct the inquiry." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, orange pips. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "She walked into the breakfast-room." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And help." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Frequently." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own fasten all the windows?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Not yet." in this way: and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his papers on the sundial.'" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out one which it was hard to resist. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number gone. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of there is a decided draught." "'Yes, it was gone.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "What then?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the best of training." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt arrangements." "My last client of the sort was a king." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I redistribution. not, dad?" she asked. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I papers." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of your young ladies.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "She showed me, as I told you she would." amused." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Yes, sir.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very memory. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in man. I know him from the photograph." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Absolutely?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ordinary clothes on?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent house for five minutes.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gentleman's clothes. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would skylight. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Leadenhall Street--and--" strength in the others." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first people in all walks of life. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the