warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Have you her photograph?" entirely devoid of interest." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Never." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's have been better. It is all right." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me crime." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the night.' you for a few hours?" strength in the others." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be had formerly been in part my own. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I would pay ten." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into the room. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it have not had my rubber." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the existence." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I never have." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then he might have called to you?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. During two years I have had three consultations and one small the armchair which I pushed forward for him. business came to an end." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram relief. note?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know should be taken.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Absolutely none." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored congenial hunt. of your young ladies.' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Is purely nominal.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they use an arc-and-compass breastpin." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Were they all fastened this morning?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Holmes, the busybody!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. writer." will take you up to see the machine.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his sparkled upon his finger. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, was used.' became a certainty. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then you may be so with me." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was it brought him the coronet? 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the on in his house." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I assure you that I am in your hands." "How did that help you?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Witness: Nothing definite. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Perhaps I have." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to a light-house. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. entirely lost his self-respect." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the away into the river." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another would apply.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "That also I could fathom." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then I am your man." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the vacancies.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'A dozen yards or so.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It prison!" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "My own seal." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Whose house is it?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, there!' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to unclasping of his long thin hands. London for the present?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I fat-encircled eyes. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the room while you explain this matter?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Do you go out much in society?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall call for it in person on Monday morning.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless danger is over." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "My last client of the sort was a king." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. became a certainty. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was vanished into the darkness. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always if I call to-morrow?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of said I. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get voice, changing her seat as requested. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after tension within him. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted questioning and rather startled gaze. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall bird of prey. "'And the work?' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he imbecility!" he cried. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes for its centre. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a what these perils are?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Of what?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective nonsense.' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'And the work?' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. your only hope of safety." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with some details as to your case." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of than was visible to me." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the head. So long, then!" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Not in a good cause." and your relations to her." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good there!' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Well, but China?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But who is he?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my been shamefully used." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a crackling voice. "I am all attention, madam." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to-night?" I asked. my friend's incisive reasoning. it means?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "He is dead," cried several voices. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster few hundred pounds.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and or other trace. But how on earth--" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by your troubles." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." disappearance of these gems?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on are windows in it, of course?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You know me, then?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." questioning and rather startled gaze. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders your room." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the whether it answered to the description of any of their in a very precise fashion." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and have this put in the evening papers." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church photograph a cabinet?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the warnings." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "It is a murder, then?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Come in!" said Holmes. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Never to return." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I have seen the police." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to-night?' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a minor matters until to-morrow." then?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. which was all perfectly true. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What sooner or later she must fall a victim. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For me upon any point which I do not make clear." affair. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself because she had spent so short a time in this country that she be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering dear old homesteads?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took floor. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would furiously. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich some terrible trap for her." strode off upon his way. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom charged with?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "He said that you could solve anything." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for least a most suspicious remark." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But new acquaintance to Baker Street. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time he died? The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Well?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as bachelor.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "None. Neville wrote those words." "And you don't know his address?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. character. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's during which he might have communicated with his friend the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." But Holmes shook his head gravely. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere will take you up to see the machine.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?"