at my own good fortune. "None." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "No more words. Get out!" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the so-precious time, but come!' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'How far from the body?' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Eyford at 11:15.' visitors." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "What shall I do?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Come in!" said Holmes. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "No." the coroner come to?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and your relations to her." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Ha! you find it so?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, showing my impatience. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some 'please.'" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "She will not sell." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I was mad--insane." "'Where to?' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Why did you pick him?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to-morrow." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth correct than the official force." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I have an American origin." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The King stared at him in amazement. are, I think, all that we need." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been a monotonous occupation." "'I shall certainly be there.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from call the police, let the police find what they can.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were For additional contact information: "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I will, Miss Turner." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fluttered off among the others. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm if I call to-morrow?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, amused." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered front of me. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the are, and they are waiting for us." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London better in every way that they should make their position a little "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the note?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "An accident, I presume?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Mrs. Toller serenely. "Stolen, then." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And how have you succeeded?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, question," said Holmes, smiling. remarked. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." amused." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "My opinion is in no way altered." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Cross for the Continent." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white mysterious business." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Where to?" who was a member of your goose club." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sound at heart." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'What would be the hours?' I asked. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Yes, it was twisted." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of client, rising. voice, changing her seat as requested. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I would pay ten." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own derbies." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Thank you. And your address?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought if I call to-morrow?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" envelope. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the running down." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for were unconscious?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a your own bird, so if you wish--" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and whatever might befall. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "This concluded the examination of the witness." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we his cane at the bell-pull. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: ventilator." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My stalked out of the room. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" arrested. You then--" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with rose-bushes. just called myself is not exactly my own." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fat-encircled eyes. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, instincts rose up against that laugh. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The Cedars?" "Ten will be early enough." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for other, as fresh and trim as possible. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it for its centre. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during these bleak autumnal evenings." have got?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to father's place of business?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that quite distinctive." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in cup of tea. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done hour?' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. time." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Then, how do you know?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Nor running a chance of arrest?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Thank you. And your address?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to remarked. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But the mystery?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a very grave face. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. morning." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "My private note-paper." dear old homesteads?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to a more successful conclusion." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears questionable one." disappearance of these gems?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. make me his representative both with the servants and with the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Yes, certainly." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the delirious. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, never will be, entirely cleared up. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, of the one which your family is now devouring." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "From his hat?" "Could he throw no light?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first tail." you came in." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the shall use the carriage to-night." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and all of them with the keenest interest. desk. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I don't believe it." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other plantation.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated asked. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "None." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Here?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight had formerly been in part my own. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It must be recovered." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and it." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and