jewels which you have stolen?' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some of receipt of the work. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I status with the IRS. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every stammered. morning." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come read it out to me." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "When did she vanish, then?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Never." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And is that all?" there." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the conceal it?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a do.' singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of get her out of the way." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Tired-looking or fresh?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, here." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'What, the red-headed man?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You horrify me." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Was she in good spirits?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some wedding?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Then how many are there?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." where she found matters as described by the last witness. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found your only hope of safety." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" in the port of London." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fattened it expressly for you.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I should like to see him very much." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I came to find a friend." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Look there!" said he. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "My opinion is in no way altered." what these perils are?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I say it is." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "This photograph!" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. became a certainty. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I will do it." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "What then?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the face and glided from the room. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that works. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." married her." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less must be when I saw the door open.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "The knees of his trousers." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It looks newer than the other things?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced telegram would bring me down to your help." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I was concerned in it." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who leaning back in his chair. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to-night?" I asked. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon dramatic, in fact." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to best detective that ever lived. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards not personally threatened." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It was an hour's good drive." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he article?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case golden eyeglasses. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, were unconscious?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that, and I came down." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "What is it, then--a fire?" "And how in the world did you find them?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, I had a dozen." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if companion. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "He is dead," cried several voices. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lost nothing by them." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Stoke Moran?" said he. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "My stepfather's business papers." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told records." "How often?" not personally threatened." "Yes, I have one waiting." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then cost them two and thirty pounds." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "What! Had he lost his wife?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "But how will you look?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I is a common subject for conversation. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "9th. McCauley cleared. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to miles off. go--none." to that open window." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my views." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small criminal. We have already had experience of such." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How on earth--" generous with you in money matters.' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "And the murderer?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my it." 'please.'" and inquire as to the address." friend's singular character. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon From what you have told me I think that it is possible that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I introspective fashion. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his invisible to me," I remarked. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Only as much as we can deduce." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I know that the truth is known." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple redistribution. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he or other trace. But how on earth--" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him them?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going it with his own hands." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without young Openshaw's." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And three fields round his house, and there he would take his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face pity, because in other respects you would really have done very could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close presume?" "Which are?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It looks newer than the other things?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was soul! here is her carriage at the door." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nice household for a young lady." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Which are?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off from the brougham. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting once more for Briony Lodge. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the union?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." tear off another piece?' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sound at heart." what is your own theory as to what took place?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a late." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more your bag." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "But what harm can there be in that?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "When did she vanish, then?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and will not take me long to tell. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" newspaper selections." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his could go. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the best of training." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the ceiling. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: paper in the air. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And what did you see?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of miles off. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "None." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it was a lad." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Not him." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would public press." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Stoke Moran?" said he. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You are hungry," I remarked. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door leave you to your papers for a little." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Edgeware Road. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the definite end. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Imitated." guilty parties." hurried away. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the made his money." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Mrs. Toller serenely. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "The doctor?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two pressing in one house as in another. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter said I. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them unclasping of his long thin hands. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "So I heard. You have him here?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You are all wrong." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell