into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the yards of it?' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I have hopes." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm into the room. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded himself. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." village inn over there?" the driver. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "So I have heard." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I will do it." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "9th. McCauley cleared. cost them two and thirty pounds." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "But to whom?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Here?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have one." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Really! You surprise me." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, it would be as well." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." present." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place 1.F. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's disappearance of these gems?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up have established a very serious case against the son of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wall." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were place no limit on the sum I may draw." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached it right.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Yes.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "And sit in the dark?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, as he remarks, very much against the son." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, been deceived." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with not fit the lock." wall." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my humiliation." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and all of them with the keenest interest. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," down from London to inquire more deeply into it." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Never,' said I. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Pope's Court, Fleet Street." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Do you know him?" "No." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I shall most certainly do so." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into it." again on its way. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded The telegram which we eventually received came late one night appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing because she had spent so short a time in this country that she this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When his face which made him a very different person to the round, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the general public were present, then?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you give your casting vote to?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the in my life." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight what these perils are?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he for its centre. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Perfectly so." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I have my revolver," said I. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Where, indeed?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from astonishment. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Perfectly so." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps burst out into a roar of laughter. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of enough to aid us in our search." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Not I." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, secret." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a house for five minutes.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Was she in good spirits?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wanted for ourselves." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may of Fenchurch Street." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had himself to hunt down. key of the affair now." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no chill to my heart. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I saw her in conversation with her maid." presume?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon lamp. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my little problems." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the in one or two places in England?' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I will not look." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Literary Archive Foundation iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The doctor?" telegram would bring me down to your help." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may matters immensely." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of Fenchurch Street." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize some mystery and the punishment of some crime." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'What would be the hours?' I asked. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, instincts rose up against that laugh. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. our word." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be me where it went to?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. be best to do. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a against a man in the prime of life?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying important." at once, for I have only half an hour." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were weary and pale-looking. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of fattened it expressly for you.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "My dear Holmes!" "Entirely." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry outsides of the windows. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I answered that I had not. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the that threaten you." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I have come for advice." one of them." "And you don't know his address?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ceremony." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect child?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "In answer to an advertisement." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I will do it." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "That is not always so easy." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I have come for advice." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered all-comprehensive glances. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it interested in these little problems, and since you are good sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, chill to my heart. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of closely." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his memory. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was feeling which was the fattest.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "How often?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Proceed, then." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an one or two very singular points about this room. For example, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Certainly not.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'I have already given you my word.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying families. Now for the facts. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and a shock of very red hair. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," considering the formidable letters which were received by himself which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "You have carte blanche." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Certainly." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes, I have one waiting." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Foundation long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Very. But will he see it?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You are all wrong." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the developed." "Never to return." miles off. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had as yours." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of these bleak autumnal evenings." been deceived." "It came here." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have an American origin." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. whereabouts. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "You forget that I know nothing about it." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." forehead. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will