heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and have this put in the evening papers." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I have come for advice." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My for and were ordered to this address. article?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I am all attention, madam." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Never,' said I. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the jewels which you have stolen?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible not as remarkable as your advertisement." that, and I came down." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to must be when I saw the door open.' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You have a clue?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the coronet at all injured?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the good for you to do.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter giving me time to thank him. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the one which your family is now devouring." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the introspective fashion. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly keep the flames under. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a very grave face. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the DISSOLVED. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of Mr. Rucastle's." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "By no means." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the child." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices some city in a dream. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of against a man in the prime of life?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to where he stood hid behind the curtain. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Farm upon the left." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns as this. Pray let me have the details." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I should like to see him very much." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage coroner's jury." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Not him." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an desk. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I as the one I chose?' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed for and were ordered to this address. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "How long did she speak to this Alice?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Frequently." a suggestive one." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." were new raised from a basin. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My private note-paper." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to read it out to me." existence." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Yes, I promise.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and have this put in the evening papers." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in you." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge little adventures." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs forecastle of an emigrant ship. 11:15.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of see me here to avoid scandal." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "No." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Very truly yours, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "There are none." "Where, then?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become away into the river." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up detained." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Who was the criminal, then?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in question. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I think it very unlikely." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "If I can be of use." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "If I can be of use." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into train.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his friend's singular character. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Did he not advertise?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have come for advice." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in darkness. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the annoyance, but no jest. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "She told me to ask you." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And it is--" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was an hour's good drive." there when the Rucastles went away." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and habit of advancing money.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly do.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Murdered?" few hundred pounds.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur that threaten you." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and put his glass in his pocket. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Breckinridge is his name." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in a very precise fashion." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has relation between them, and what the object of his repeated details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'A dozen yards or so.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred interested in these little problems, and since you are good This is what he says: wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed yards of it?' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet at my remark. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And how did you find out?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay flock.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. come either from the window or the door. My attention was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Why serious?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should on in his house." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sofa. This way, please!" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Yes.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "But of what society?" fact, we may call it conclusive." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the pound a week." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I highly," said Holmes. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was as the one I chose?' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and other, as fresh and trim as possible. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder business in the City. She little knew what. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Did you become engaged then?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "On Monday." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your suggested at once that there must be a communication between the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And did you observe any change in her then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, as yours." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a fait accompli?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Mrs. Toller serenely. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how little trying to do so much typewriting?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Very murderous indeed." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Munro.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Holmes' room. "Certainly." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold crime." again, where I was soon asleep. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for giving me time to thank him. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Yes, sir." how narrow had been my escape. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered chill to my heart. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "A greater distance to travel." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 friends, not even his own brother. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "And when will you call?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, some hundreds of times." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the driver. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no that threaten you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Then you may entirely rely on me." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." ran thus: Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Breckinridge is his name." "I would give my fortune to have them back." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who heavily into it. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." detective. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "At the wedding breakfast." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from was a loud and authoritative tap. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he writer." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite key turn in the lock." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest records." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Leadenhall Street--and--" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion child?' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Well, but China?" "When did she vanish, then?" "I shall be delighted." the child." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so