reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the little opening for the ventilator is." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire fuss that is made over them." "And I to find an enemy." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "One?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes, that is the Crown." said I. when you have done it." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I should like to see him very much." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and manager. "It is very clear." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be distinguish the words: "But who is he?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I would pay ten." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "But of what society?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Where could I find him?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, more terrible than the truth. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and you." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem points to suicide?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Where did you address your letters, then?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my as he folded up the epistle. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice allusion to a rat. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." way in everything. shall not find me ungrateful." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "What, then, did Peterson do?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. better in every way that they should make their position a little bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and corner of the building. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a locked." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "You forget that I know nothing about it." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "In answer to an advertisement." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." crackling voice. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had formerly been in part my own. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "And how in the world did you find them?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Most admirably.' "Eh? What was that?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which is four-and-twenty." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But what will you do?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have an American origin." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Is he quiet?" "To an end?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in this note: villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I know where it is." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the you." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. discontent upon his features. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of signal between you and your father? ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It surprised me." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Yes, I promise.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "That's no good." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up hair?' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in few hundred pounds.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "No." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't is worth.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Thank you. Pray proceed." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that there was nothing in it, after all." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing touch that coronet?' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. shoulder; "he's all right." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And leave your case unfinished?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Stolen!' he cried. "She told me to ask you." hurried away. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "No legal papers or certificates?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love became a certainty. think, you have already met." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have here and I will read it to you: "Is he quiet?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I shall most certainly do so." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike a monotonous occupation." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from when your master had gone out." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong not come at once?" annoyance, but no jest. John Swain, of St. Augustine. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, south, for the country is more deserted there." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they singular points about the case. What did the police think of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'There is a drive, then?' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "But how?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry towards the blaze. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to a more successful conclusion." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, only one." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your province." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Her father is very rich?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Can I be of assistance?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal again." "Whose house is it?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were country, and eventually married, without anyone having a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the relief. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the someone who had been in Australia." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "May I see it?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "But how?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Pray do so." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet thought that she would have been so carried away." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away held up the lantern and gazed about him. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And you can do nothing until then?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say London for the present?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Why? What do you mean?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the matter?" "And you can do nothing until then?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and have this put in the evening papers." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, persecution?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled could gather together that I was able to avert another public Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "One horse?" interjected Holmes. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Nothing." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You have carte blanche." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions furiously. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Just look it up, then." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that about here speaks of his kindness to him." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the chance." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "He is still with you, I presume?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw kindly on the shoulder. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting sufficient punishment." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "What then?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, kind enough to tell me what I should do." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare leaning back in his chair. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had business at Coburg Square is serious." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down purpose of examination. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a breakfast?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." tear off another piece?' "Well?" leave you to your papers for a little." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Why serious?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as considering the formidable letters which were received by himself me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have digesting their breakfasts at home." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the to surprise her." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat morning." "'And the work?' that you can jump it.' strong reason behind." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other was shining brightly. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were as the one I chose?' III. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Seven!" I answered. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is quick march!" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I have come for advice." if I call to-morrow?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern it with his own hands." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Ten to two.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "My stepfather's business papers." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us success. help us in this matter." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Again Holmes raved in the air. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "What can you not understand?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street."