"You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And why in hopes?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "None." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek strong reason behind." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Literary Archive Foundation fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I there has been an enclosure here!" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But what is it you wish?" DISSOLVED. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Not I." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And help." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat stammered. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. unclasping of his long thin hands. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back companion imperturbably. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Dirty?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "How about poison?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for were wasted." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I have seen the police." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Holmes' room. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had discontent upon his features. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, page at http://pglaf.org Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. him." joking. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The enough to aid us in our search." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up late." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Here?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." she used." of Mr. Rucastle's." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry call you and give you the chance." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't strength." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose is entirely a question of barometric pressure." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Never.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of chance." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two conceal it?" answered with a sidelong glance. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little lamp in his hand. "To the police?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but likely to be some crony of the landlady's." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day ready to-morrow?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'What are you doing there?' he asked. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the stable lane now." photograph?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." appeal." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that he has suffered." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with flock.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when outside." way: furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. used to be." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Why did you pick him?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. matter." one which it was hard to resist. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in straightened it out again. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his crackling voice. have had none more fantastic than this." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to arrive at through this?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Yes, sir." tapping his fingers upon the table. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It was an hour's good drive." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special she to prove their authenticity?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Oh, no.' in the hope of finding them." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the inner apartment." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Dirty?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted instincts rose up against that laugh. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my must compliment you." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, that is the Crown." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of you?" your most interesting statement." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'How far from the body?' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. correct than the official force." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, was lame." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as nonsense.' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, paper in the air. I was concerned in it." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. morning." "And your father? Did you tell him?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the words came to my lips. something of him before." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And how?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was purpose equally well?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It is very clear." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it III. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Yes, sir.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she may never be exposed to such a temptation." people don't know." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wedding?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of is four-and-twenty." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an families. Now for the facts. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your mysterious end." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Never,' said I. back alive. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And the cigar-holder?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture me. You must get home instantly and act." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. danger is over." question. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been plantation.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would stammered. "Yes, it would be as well." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to extraordinary contortions. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must fire. You quite follow me?" fear." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Yes, they were peculiar boots." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." rooms." at my remark. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has affection." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he crime." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here or other trace. But how on earth--" the room while you explain this matter?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have clanging. status with the IRS. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As already been minutely examined." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'And what salary do you ask?' meant it for the best. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that I can to serve you." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted searched, without anything being found which could incriminate anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'I am sure if I had known--' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some there is a decided draught." bearing upon the case." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I never have." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As wall." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And what did you see?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece husband's writing, madam." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Street. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after way in everything. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of some terrible trap for her." good-night and bustled off upon her way. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right foot. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a