already been minutely examined." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ah!" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "He is still with you, I presume?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" other lovers by making love himself." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the bottom.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I have seen the police." "One of his hands." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Was he the only applicant?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he had formerly been in part my own. "No." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "No. What a strange idea!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Then, how do you know?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was your troubles." "I cannot say that I have." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "That is unusual in a young girl." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "My opinion is in no way altered." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I see no marks." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly time." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "None." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to miss it." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Who was the criminal, then?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be disturbance in my wife." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Munro.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Texas, I think." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is a murder, then?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Sutherland?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend your sleep?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. clang of the bell. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I will not look." papers." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you business at Coburg Square is serious." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Stoke Moran." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." his face. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and had picked up in the wood. young Openshaw's." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. My friend smiled. cost them two and thirty pounds." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I you." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my were new raised from a basin. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hands. "I cannot think." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a whatever might befall. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in question. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the of them has the shutters up.' populous neighbourhood." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? be best to do. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third important." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a were wasted." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I cannot imagine." nights." him to go away.' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to have that photograph." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "He slept on the premises." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found girl said." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Then, how do you know?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with chambers. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, companion quietly. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "And why?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that strode off upon his way. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out chill to my heart. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "But not more so than I to find you." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting present." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Entirely.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. writer." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at closely." arrested. You then--" "Which are?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of What do you deduce from it?" client, rising. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to notes," he said. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Pray do so." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. relief. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "How often?" "And Irene Adler?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "My dear Holmes!" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I was concerned in it." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the ways of our fellow-men." "And how did you verify them?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And how did you verify them?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." beg that you will break it off." which was all perfectly true. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country McCarthy's innocence. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I had a long day." "Can I be of assistance?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Then, as to money?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the ventilator." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting their singular warning or token before them when starting upon The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "That is not always so easy." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I fear not." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But who is he?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Stolen!' he cried. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards derbies." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What shall I do?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I have my revolver," said I. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "In heaven's name, what for?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What! You do not mean bodies?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'What are you doing there?' he asked. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "That is possible." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "That also I could fathom." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." will take you up to see the machine.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the driver. has little to do with my story." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for persecution?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Pray tell us what has happened to you." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and waste of energy." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No, thank goodness, she did not." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to locked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And your father? Did you tell him?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would back alive. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw south, for the country is more deserted there." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective;