copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not 11:15.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, away into the river." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Yesterday." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I am to be neutral?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I not personally threatened." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And how?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his huge brown hands. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to talk it over. this remarkable episode. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It is half-past ten now." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Whose house is it?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "In the cells." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just over here." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Stoke Moran?" said he. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well, it is a possible supposition." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "And when will you call?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Not particularly." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate look upon these things in a different way." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the do.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master direction." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a sufficient punishment." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' allusion to a rat. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a lamp in his hand. out." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I leave." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and have this put in the evening papers." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Is he quiet?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and capable of preserving a secret.' "Not social, then?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange what do you think they found in the pockets?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were crackling voice. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every annoyance, but no jest. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of the vacancies.' out of this horrible affair." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to tell." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Nothing." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Has he come with you to-night?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fashion which was peculiar to him. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, time." very morning of my second wedding." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And now?" He raised his hand. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy criminal. We have already had experience of such." Countess of Morcar's?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered question you as to those details which seem to me to be most us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But of what society?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the on re-entering her father's house?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress you?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. emerged. society." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel you, my dear young lady?' people in all walks of life. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the astonishment. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Never." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was extraordinary contortions. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, woven round him. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "From his hat?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Lee, in the county of Kent." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his tell him that I know him to be innocent." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am page at http://pglaf.org you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel furiously. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it means?" "'As governess?' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "And sit in the dark?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of this gang." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or one else, I think." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "So it appears." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes, from Horsham." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit woven round him. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his forehead." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Witness: It was. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "That's no good." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "But he might be a bachelor." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Yes, I promise.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. footfalls from the street. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my burst out into a roar of laughter. "'I am sure if I had known--' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed will take you up to see the machine.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "But you were on a friendly footing?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the Red-headed League." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This this unhappy family?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "A confidential servant?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all I leave." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And why?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the bottom.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will The telegram which we eventually received came late one night right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take following enigmatical notices: was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the one as in the other." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and laid it on the table. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'About the same.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no empty. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Then how many are there?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And why in hopes?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Can I be of assistance?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it which it had come upon my father." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. down. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes felt the room to be a little close.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I don't say that. Perhaps." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she enough to aid us in our search." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. should be taken.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always relief. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "No, finished." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A something of him before." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a possible that we could bring him back to her? corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I assure you that I am in your hands." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Have you her photograph?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the it." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is been with you?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating already been minutely examined." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the During two years I have had three consultations and one small the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I took the paper from him and read as follows: right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of the way of danger. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this there in twenty minutes." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, held up the lantern and gazed about him. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular should be taken.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, followed. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. amused." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And what did you see?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the ran thus: my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across as noiselessly as she had come. "Where to?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and that he would see to anything that turned up. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Certainly not.' anything to do with the matter?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain chance at all." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," showing my impatience. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him clang of the bell. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in the dead of the night?' door?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "My private note-paper." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual