figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." him to go away.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as http://gutenberg.net/license). went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from matter." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Entirely." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Did you become engaged then?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large my former friend and companion. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite said he. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his galvanised. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'Very good.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had take the flies, but not before." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And you don't know his address?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, do.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." answer." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good your own bird, so if you wish--" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on possible that we could bring him back to her? The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of whether it answered to the description of any of their "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of the vacancies.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far my former friend and companion. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tension within him. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE becomes even more simple." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Dr. Becher's." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ourselves in the office." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Nothing." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and evidence," I remarked. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to-morrow." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them keep the flames under. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Bought." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped question you as to those details which seem to me to be most so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which upon the shelf for the interim." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence six. Come in!" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely telegram would bring me down to your help." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "You know me, then?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to evidence," I remarked. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." such person." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the do you make of it all?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in from the brougham. rose-bushes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there her also." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I don't believe it." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'You doubt its value?' he asked. than to us. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and manager. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Frequently." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, reach." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes completely overtopped every other consideration that we both world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to affect your life." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the matter." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "To ruin me." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, there are nearly always some there." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank American. Then who could this American be, and why should he for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite rose-bushes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "You have compromised yourself seriously." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Will you go?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "VIOLET HUNTER." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall weighed down with some great anxiety. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so out." taking in every detail of the apartment. writers could invent nothing more crude." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his done what I asked you, Jones?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, back alive. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Where is it, then?" question," said Holmes, smiling. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Deserted you?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That is it on the dressing-table." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. annoyance, but no jest. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. fat-encircled eyes. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag other lovers by making love himself." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "But what is it you wish?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is an introduction to him?" was keenly on my guard against him. "When did she vanish, then?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "But of what society?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I spark where all is dark to me." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself were unconscious?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. observed. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and inquire as to the address." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered gone before you can get him to hospital." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Get out!" said he. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years tell them apart.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, the wine-cellar." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and it need not interfere very much with one's other centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and looked back. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Precisely." passage and a tap at the door. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I that you wished to speak to me?' "And for present expenses?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Very truly yours, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It surprised me." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Quite so." four million human beings all jostling each other within the father's young wife. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in the hope of finding them." McCarthy." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into humiliation." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Pray let us have it, for all that." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Ample." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we maid will bring up your coffee." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hereditary King of Bohemia." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his eyes and forehead.