"No good news?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' quick march!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had this final quarrel? "Then, as to money?" off." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his knees, staring into the fire. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that, and I came down." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper was it brought him the coronet? Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, companion quietly. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Did your wife hear all this?" with you alone." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I have seen the police." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no sooner or later she must fall a victim. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal events, Mr. Windibank!" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some beyond words. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter politicians who had been sent down from the North. prison!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down know that the truth is known." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, key turn in the lock." "9th. McCauley cleared. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, than to us. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave use an arc-and-compass breastpin." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was prisoner's face. bled considerably." quickly through a disagreeable task. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "But how will you look?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I a room. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as himself. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one look upon these things in a different way." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense eat it." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his flock.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No bad?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" forbidden door. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of Fenchurch Street." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I think that it is very probable." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "By train from Waterloo." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It may not come to that," said Holmes. occupations.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to straighten it?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I think that it is very probable." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Here?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rooms." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." get her out of the way." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Where did you address your letters, then?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and inquire as to the address." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our envelope. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us detective. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Look there!" said he. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bearing upon the case." enter into my head. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was true." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted case-book, which he consulted. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I were wasted." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by upon a handsome competence. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. said Mr. Holder. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the careless servant girl?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "A greater distance to travel." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new thin legs towards the fire. open." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the bed, and you in that chair." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the cigar and let me expound." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to take care of herself." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Then what has happened to him?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use feature." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the asked. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long corner of the building. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you never to learn it at all." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this criminal. We have already had experience of such." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. strong reason behind." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four questioning and rather startled gaze. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "There is the writing." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any coat-tails." "An enemy?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Street. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how bare slabs of marble. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them but preventing her from injuring another. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Yes, that is the Crown." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strength in the others." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Never.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the one as in the other." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Sutherland?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was feeling which was the fattest.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Perfectly so." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the warnings." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found had no one to advise her at such a crisis." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It's nothing of the kind." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Do you know him?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his on re-entering her father's house?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, new duties?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a bears upon the case?" astonishment. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the off." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And what did you learn from him?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, good for you to do.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took ventilator." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time jewels which you have stolen?' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that rose-bushes. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now prison!" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern away into the river." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Which dealer's?' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Where is it, then?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with bled considerably." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our future lives." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With rooms." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room had picked up in the wood. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Your presence might be invaluable." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Ten will be early enough." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I am to be neutral?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "You were travelling in the States?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my bare slabs of marble. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater my little problems." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. people don't know." tell me that you intended to go into harness." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And me. You must get home instantly and act." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for lamp. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. nonsense.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the suspect him." closely." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would shaken than I had ever seen him. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to man. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got tell him that I know him to be innocent." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "In the cells." cigars in their mouths. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down