among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "And that is--" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and the colonel ushered me in. "Was he the only applicant?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "You are hungry," I remarked. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The vanishing of the lady." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were be best to do. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then bore every mark of being an average commonplace British professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid outside. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. think you a quite exceptional woman." gone before you can get him to hospital." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "But his lameness?" his huge brown hands. with the outside air!" whereabouts. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Look there!" said he. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about correct than the official force." companion. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger be best to do. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of where we are going." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the King without delay." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the whether it answered to the description of any of their prepare for the new role I have to play." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of said he. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes." "And I." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Never." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock possible that we could bring him back to her? depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your morning." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Yes, I promise.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from call the police, let the police find what they can.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" before the coroner and the police-court." key turn in the lock." "And from a noble client?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun papers." an introduction to him?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if affection." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an one of them." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is instincts rose up against that laugh. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less gives a meaning to it." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, good-night and bustled off upon her way. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Pray continue your narrative." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "How about poison?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to a light-house. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had in darkness. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor been shamefully used." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could standing smiling on the door-step. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "What are they?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Of what day?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Certainly, madam." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But I have heard all that you have heard." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "There are none." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for someone who had been in Australia." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you forbidden door. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had his knees, staring into the fire. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital said he at last. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. as this. Pray let me have the details." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It is possible." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted minor matters until to-morrow." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. appeared upon the scene." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for quickly through a disagreeable task. "The knees of his trousers." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses tell them apart.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "None." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from look upon these things in a different way." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a congratulate you again." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to Leatherhead. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically yet." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Where did you address your letters, then?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I cannot tell." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he of your young ladies.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such himself to hunt down. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "What can it mean?" I gasped. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a than was visible to me." the side-table." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line paper in the air. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands 1.F. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "To an end?" more terrible than the truth. a monotonous occupation." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It relief. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her whatever might befall. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since felt the room to be a little close.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few murdered man." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have been better. It is all right." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your said he at last. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature such person." During two years I have had three consultations and one small Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in so far?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. purpose equally well?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive you." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their money should be paid at once.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the house with me." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I cannot think." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of door?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Look there!" said he. "Perhaps I have." assist you in forming an opinion." followed. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'What do you call purely nominal?' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I chamber." awkward doing business with an alias." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce wall." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he sufficient punishment." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The best possible." go--none." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And read it out to me." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes." strength of mind to control. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "What, then, did Peterson do?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The he. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a served to weaken the effect. cheerful." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shall use the carriage to-night." "I see no marks." "And why?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to call you and give you the chance." the warnings." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely occurred." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Well." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm crowd. his forehead." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Very truly yours, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "One of the highest in England." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes, he did." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And you don't know his address?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the dangers which encompass me." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand flock.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." you?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." do." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I fatally injured? unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a persecution?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done when you have done it." This is what he says: that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Where, indeed?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a enter into my head. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Very much so." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Not I." think, you have already met." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cigar and let me expound." "Perhaps I have." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the there is a decided draught." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us all?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway upon the sideboard." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Yes." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now were wasted." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Doctor, of the paper and the date." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by clang of the bell. the address that was given us in the advertisement. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It is his hat." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Then, as to money?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless presume?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Ample.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am him!" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. business matters.' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" than was visible to me." "What steps will you take?" I asked. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, golden eyeglasses. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out