noble correspondent could be. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Eyford at 11:15.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are there has been an enclosure here!" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Did you become engaged then?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Heh?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I promise," said Holmes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began delighted to hear it," he said. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." if only as a check to my own memory." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train call for it in person on Monday morning.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Farm upon the left." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Ample.' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Here?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the for the market.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Tired-looking or fresh?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "What!" he roared. new duties?' late." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is neither fascinating nor artistic." knowledge of the world." unkempt, staring out at me. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy chance at all." she might be summoned. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the waste of energy." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he bowed and left the room without another word. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Frequently." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not been shamefully used." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Thank you. Pray proceed." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though ventilator." held up the lantern and gazed about him. carriage. It was a chestnut." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no The summons was a brief and urgent one. been with you?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. had a long day." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and the colonel ushered me in. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I acquaintance?" "Precisely." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Not social, then?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever strong and stiff." several quiet little villages up there." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the possible that we could bring him back to her? "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fled together." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. II. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "ARAT," I read. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said call you and give you the chance." "I promise," said Holmes. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whether it answered to the description of any of their something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It is possible." and looked back. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be fuss that is made over them." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "BALLARAT." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, head. So long, then!" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? few hundred pounds.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit be. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we wife's character?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Why that?' I asks. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to present." "I will do it." "Do you know him?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Ample.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can away to you." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had weapon." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." way: gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon been shamefully used." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." these bleak autumnal evenings." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." be best to do. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is do." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And when will you call?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming October 9, 1890. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The landlord of the Alpha." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began case before our client came into the room." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then were new raised from a basin. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of money should be paid at once.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me observed. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' fat-encircled eyes. records." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and have this put in the evening papers." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of definite end. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the good-night and bustled off upon her way. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Never.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "No." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this as likely?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. like that before?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry would apply.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I came to find a friend." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to case before our client came into the room." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a you, my dear young lady?' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "This photograph!" "The rest you will leave in our hands." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a very grave face. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wedding?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in him, that man would not have given me such complete information and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Certainly." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the matter." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his chair. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss him to be an active member of the medical profession." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers must be when I saw the door open.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Not in the least." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sutherland?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the warnings." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And I to find an enemy." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps of this gang." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It's nothing of the kind." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "She showed me, as I told you she would." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother redistribution. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But his left-handedness." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in darkness. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Eh? What was that?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his knees, staring into the fire. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the ceiling. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Yes, it was gone.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "That is unusual in a young girl." possible that we could bring him back to her? It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, in him." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Stolen." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came matter." prisoner's face. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an bled considerably." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a where we are going." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I am about to be married." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is very clear." joking. were unconscious?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And that is--" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great telegram would bring me down to your help." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'I have heard so.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fashion which was peculiar to him. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Perhaps I have." "Then I am your man." "Have you her photograph?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Where to?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from flock.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Could he throw no light?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Was your sister dressed?" "'And the work?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. true." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Was she in good spirits?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the photograph?" have had none more fantastic than this." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What, then, did Peterson do?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and capable of preserving a secret.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." page at http://pglaf.org near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and the church but not where the lady lived." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the stones. upon the sideboard." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his