in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her could gather together that I was able to avert another public death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of it with the greatest attention. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I know where it is." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far whether it answered to the description of any of their "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and your relations to her." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have individual and becomes the badge of a society." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying present." have established a very serious case against the son of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am notes," he said. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his respectable self." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to have that photograph." that you wished to speak to me?' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to surprise her." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yes." "Yes, all." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had miles off. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had nonsense.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hard-headed British jury." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." know what is wrong with it.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if shag which I had seen upon the previous night. weighed down with some great anxiety. with some details as to your case." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland morning." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I has little to do with my story." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' seem to you to be relevant or not." orange pips. indeed happy." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my special province." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but III. "And now?" I asked. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw companion imperturbably. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." words came to my lips. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to have that photograph." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you unprofitable." prison!" "Nothing." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "No." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "You have a clue?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "None." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "An enemy?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "How can you tell that?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Watson," he said cordially. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes, at the mines." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Perfectly so." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Have you it here?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could test if we have an answer to our advertisement." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes' room. she might be summoned. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes, certainly." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project round and wave him away like that.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Yes, I have one waiting." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the coronet at all injured?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was nonsense.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and round and wave him away like that.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. words came to my lips. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Sutherland. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing unprecedented a position." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "The best possible." your only hope of safety." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yesterday." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that at a side door. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Then I shall certainly come." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that client, rising. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it right.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was a lad." words came to my lips. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But the mystery?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that speckled band?" the matter." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It is possible." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "None." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, shaken than I had ever seen him. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency before the coroner and the police-court." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "But how?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. in. hurried by. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." down. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some you." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is as this. Pray let me have the details." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And the murderer?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "None." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the detained." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and charged with?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side discontent upon his features. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "How about poison?" you in yours." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was the fact that his father should, according to his account, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did enter Dr. Roylott's room." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet morning." very old mansion. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "To ruin me." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Never." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and the church but not where the lady lived." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "What! a murderous attack?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium fait accompli?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three papers." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "That you are never beaten." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'And the work?' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he indiscretion." "Your presence might be invaluable." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "At the wedding breakfast." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! dead, shall be safe with us." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The Coroner: What do you mean? league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Very truly yours, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is a murder, then?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful asked. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told very morning of my second wedding." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon the sideboard." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Most admirably.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Edgeware Road. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my cigars in the box." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Holmes, the busybody!" you want, then?' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "When did she vanish, then?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And did you observe any change in her then?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the cost them two and thirty pounds." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who look dissatisfied." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I have it here in my museum." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" unclasping of his long thin hands. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not McCarthy's innocence. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Holmes' face clouded over. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, hardly wander." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "He disappeared so suddenly." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered present." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes, all." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You know me, then?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "And you can do nothing until then?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will go from here to the Strand." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "How did you trace it, then?" little adventures." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, some hundreds of times." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was infinite languor in his face. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said tail." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in companion. "Yes, that is the Crown." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I province." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "In the cells." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What! a murderous attack?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we