married her." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "What?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What do you mean?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Can I be of assistance?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This even of instruction." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Was the window open?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "The King of Scandinavia." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good place, I think that there is good ground to think that the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a other means.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." question," said Holmes, smiling. of the vacancies.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen arrested. You then--" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. instincts rose up against that laugh. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Ten will be early enough." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself tell him that I know him to be innocent." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive definite end. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I have hopes." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ready to-morrow?' prepare for the new role I have to play." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took light and attacked it." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of we went to search for him, face downward in a little past. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fashion which was peculiar to him. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if heavily into it. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my my former friend and companion. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, made his money." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a which we had just quitted. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and goes." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Pool. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and behind me. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the matter?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I shall be delighted." excitement. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Pool. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, ourselves in the office." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "You have carte blanche." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Absolutely?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through easy-going way." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Farm upon the left." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom whereabouts. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It surprised me." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "None." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the nursery. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And leave your case unfinished?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass carried out of court." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me visitors." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which this Miss Turner." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to province." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught had no one to advise her at such a crisis." than to us. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were if I call to-morrow?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the loss of it. "'And the work?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Leadenhall Street--and--" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The him to be an active member of the medical profession." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Well?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "But how will you look?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, McCarthy." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before union?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, again, where I was soon asleep. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." conclusions. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Then, as to money?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Then let me do so?' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the south-west, I see." mysterious end." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That is unusual in a young girl." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Holmes' thin, eager face. "Breckinridge is his name." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" there was no need for father to know." emerged. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "My stepfather's business papers." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And why?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to-morrow." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to is so. I know all about McCarthy." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard 'I should be able to look after that for you.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Did your wife hear all this?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth chance." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he always that they were such commands as a lady might with the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Certainly, madam." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to six. Come in!" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon what these perils are?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such golden eyeglasses. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "But she will refuse." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" a monotonous occupation." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out humiliation." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired question," said Holmes, smiling. absorbing." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give me where it went to?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I am in hopes that she does." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that careless servant girl?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. this remarkable episode. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "In what way?" asked Holmes. tightly behind him. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Tell me all about it,' said I. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would which our visitor detailed to us. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue obstinate." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Certainly,' I answered. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the inquest, and which are worth considering." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny country, and eventually married, without anyone having a than was visible to me." it right.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But your client--" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from your only hope of safety." "ARAT," I read. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It surprised me." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account come either from the window or the door. My attention was astonishment. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." situation." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and it need not interfere very much with one's other the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring spare." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector your own bird, so if you wish--" golden eyeglasses. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will without a word or a look. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "By train from Waterloo." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Holmes, the busybody!" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but business?" fuss that is made over them." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become my special province." 1.F. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "But what will you do?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. face and glided from the room. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Get out!" said he. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "But the mystery?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the good-night and bustled off upon her way. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going